Vosarogo hits back at Opposition over sugar industry criticism

Acting Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Filimoni Vosarogo has hit back at criticism of the Government’s handling of the sugar industry, saying many of the problems facing cane farmers today were inherited after years of decline under the previous administration.

Responding to comments by the Leader of the Opposition, Vosarogo agreed that cane farmers remained the foundation of Fiji’s sugar industry, but questioned what he described as the Opposition’s “selective memory” of the sector’s decline.

“The Honourable Member served for years in the previous government, including as Minister for Agriculture. During that long period in office, the industry he now champions experienced sustained decline,” Vosarogo said.

He said cane production had fallen from earlier peaks, the number of active growers had declined, while mill performance, infrastructure and farmer confidence had deteriorated over time.

Vosarogo also criticised changes to farmer institutions under the previous government, including the Sugar Cane Growers Council, arguing that decision-making had become increasingly centralised despite substantial public subsidies being directed towards the industry.

“If the centrality of farmers was so clear then, the record shows insufficient action to protect and empower them when the power to act existed,” he said.

Vosarogo said the Coalition Government inherited a sugar industry already facing declining output, ageing infrastructure, rising costs and weakened grower confidence when it took office in December 2022.

“These problems did not suddenly emerge when the Coalition Government took office in December 2022. They were years in the making,” he said.

He said the Government had since maintained the guaranteed cane price mechanism and provided top-ups, while continuing support for fertiliser, harvesting, transport and planting.

Vosarogo also pointed to the restoration of parliamentary oversight through the Special Parliamentary Committee on Sugar, changes to boards of key sugar institutions and ongoing work examining diversification opportunities for cane-growing communities.

However, he acknowledged that significant challenges remained.

“We do not claim perfection. Production challenges remain real, costs have risen, and farmers continue to face genuine hardship,” Vosarogo said.

He said Government would continue consultations and review operating costs while considering measures that could improve grower returns without placing unsustainable costs on taxpayers.

Vosarogo called on the Opposition to engage with what he described as the realities facing the industry in 2026, including mill efficiency, production costs, land and labour constraints and the effects of climate change.

“It is entirely appropriate for the Opposition to hold this Government accountable, but accountability cannot begin in December 2022 while ignoring the years that came before it,” he said.

“The farmers of Fiji deserve more than political point-scoring. They deserve consistent, practical support and honest leadership from all sides of this House.”

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