‘Organic sugar way forward’

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Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy speaks with Rarawai and Penang Cane Producers Association vice-president Rajendra Raghlu (right) during the workshop in Lautoka. Picture: REINAL CHAND

FAIRTRADE was supposed to be the turning point for the sugar industry to go fully organic, says Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr Mahendra Reddy.

While speaking at the Rarawai and Penang Cane Producers Association’s workshop on environment development, soil and water management biodiversity and waste management in Lautoka yesterday, he said organic sugar would open up premium markets for sugarcane farmers.

“Fairtrade was supposed to take Fiji’s sugar to that premium market where you would get a premium price,” he said.

“It was supposed to differentiate our sugar from the rest of the sugar produced in the world.

“That is the real strategy for our survival but unfortunately the entire industry has missed the point.”

He said farmers who wanted to continue to produce organic sugar and continue the Fairtrade program should work with the Ministry of Environment to establish environmentally-conscious farms.

“Now is the time to put your minds together and to take the advice of the experts from the entire Environment Ministry to take you step by step in gradually moving towards production of organic sugar.”

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