LIVE STREAMS
Fiji sugar industry close to collapse
![Fiji's sugar farmers say the absence of a multi-million dollar EU grant, extreme weather conditions and dilapidated infrastructure are contributing to an industry collapse. [AFP]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200812/r319733_1422650.jpg "Fiji's sugar farmers say the absence of a multi-million dollar EU grant, extreme weather conditions and dilapidated infrastructure are contributing to an industry collapse. [AFP]")
PHOTO
Fiji's sugar farmers say the absence of a multi-million dollar EU grant, extreme weather conditions and dilapidated infrastructure are contributing to an industry collapse. [AFP]
Last Updated:
The Fiji Cane Growers Association says the country's sugar industry is on the brink of collapse.
The association says the industry lost more than $US5 million in the six-month period ending November 30 last year, and has called on the interim government to find alternative funding to keep the industry alive.
The association's concerns have been echoed by the Fiji Farmers' Union, with the secretary-general of the union's Lambasa Branch, Surendra Lal, saying extreme weather conditions and dilapidated infrastructure are combining to cause the downfall of the industry.
Mr Lal says if action is not taken immediately the sugar industry will collapse.
"It will have a catastrophic effect on the economy," he said.
"Over 200,000 people are dependent on the sugar industry alone in Fiji. If the sugar industry collapses, I wonder where we will find another alternative livelihood for our farmers, mill workers and cane cutters."
   |
   |
|
|
News programs on Australia Network
News programs on Radio Australia
Features
  |