- This policy recognizes that the Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) plays an important role in the sugar cane farming community, contributing to economic development which is extremely powerful creating enormous goodwill. Therefore; not limiting to, SCGF has a significant role to play as industry stakeholder in providing affordable loans to cane growers in accordance with the Act.
- As part of corporate social responsibility, SCGF is genuinely committed in sustainable contribution to the sugar cane farming community. This policy gives guidelines for such promotions, sponsorship, financial assistance that would support national aspiration such as National Development Plan (NDP), “Transforming Fiji” within the section to “Improve the lives of vulnerable people (elderly, children and those with special needs, improve access to finance and improve access to microfinance and inclusive insurance products and services for low-income groups, and rural and marginalized communities. In addition, for the sugar sector this would bring about the reform and such programs would promote programmers to entice young and active farmers into sugar cane farming, as per NDP.
- This initiative also supports international programs such as Sustainable Development Goals – Goal (1) No Poverty or Pro-Poor Programs and Goal (8): Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all- strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all, to name a few programs.
- However, the Sugar Cane Growers Fund Act 1984 and the amendments thereon, are silent on any form of such assistance that could be given. However, provisions can be accommodated through Ministerial directive “Minister may, after consultation with the Standing Committee, and such other persons as the Standing Committee may determine, give directions in writing to the Board with respect to the exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions.” Therefore, once the Policy is endorsed, the Ministerial approval will be obtained before it implemented
