THERE is no alternative crop to sugar cane, says interim Minister for Sugar Mahendra Chaudhry.
Reacting to Citizen's Constitutional Forum's chief executive Reverend Akuila Yabaki's call for the interim Government to seriously consider introducing alternative crops to sugar cane as a back up strategy for the country, Mr. Chaudhry said the industry was focused on producing ethanol.
Mr. Yabaki said in light of the 200,000 people who relied on the industry, there was a need to highlight how long the sugar industry would survive.
"The sugar industry is an important one as about 200,000 people in Fiji, depend on this industry in some way," Mr. Yabaki said.
"In the long-run, the reality is that the sugar industry will have to be phased out."
Mr. Chaudhry said the industry was poised for extension and growth.
Mr. Chaudhry said with the rise in fuel price, they were confident that producing ethanol would be effective.
"We are looking at producing ethanol," he said.
He said there were also plans to start up a new mill in Seaqaqa.
"People who are talking about the phasing out of the industry must re-think," he said.
He said the industry was investing in the upgrading of the mills and there were three foreign companies that had shown their interests.
"People must not make generalised comments without any substance," Mr. Chaudhry said.
