THE COUNCIL

The Sugar Industry is the most important primary sector in Fiji. Annually it generates about $250 - 300 million. The industry contributes about 22 percent of the gross domestic product and employs 25 percent of the active work force in Fiji.

The Sugar Cane Growers Council is the peak organization representing the interest of all cane growers of Fiji. It was established under the Sugar Industry act No. 8 of 1984 to protect and further the interest of registered cane growers of Fiji.

In 2006 there were 1,839 active cane growers who produced 93,392 tonnes of sugar cane: 6,618 active growers in Lautoka, 5,308 in Rarawai, 5,481 in Labasa and 4,227 and 2,065 in Penang mill areas.

LOCATION & SPREAD

Members are spread in the cane belts of the two main islands (Viti Levu and Vanua Levu), which are situated in the flats of these islands. For Viti Levu this is the very Western and Northern border of the island and for Vanua Levu the North Western part of the island as indicated with the arrows on the map.

MISSION

To support the sugar cane growers of Fiji and help to improve their farm profitability.

GOALS

To encourage the development of a sustainable and viable sugar industry.

To represent growers’ interest, both collectively and individually, on matters relating to cane farming and their obligations to the industry and redress legitimate grievances through the appropriate authorities.

To undertake research and identify ways and means of reducing cost and increasing farm productivity.

To help growers to adopt best farming practices in order to maximize their profits.

To inform, advise and educate the cane growers and the community at large on the issues relating to cane farming and the sugar industry in Fiji.

To represent growers interest, both collectively and individually, on matters relationg to cane farming and their obligations to the industry and redress legitimate grieveances through the appropriate authorities.

COUNCIL PROFILE

The Council is managed by a Board of Directors consisting if a Chairman and 2 Vice Chairmen, and 8 members elected by the Councilors from their respective districts.

The Council consists of 38 Councilors elected by the cane growers from their respective sectors. The Minister of Agriculture, Sugar and Land Ressettlement used to nominate one Councilor from each cane district. However, this practice has been stopped by the President Interim Government.

The Board appoints the Chief Executive Officer and who is reponsible to the Board. The Chief Executive Officer based at the Lautoka head office and his eight district office staff implement Board's policies on a day-to-day basis.