SUVA, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Council of Fiji and the Sugar Cane Growers Fund have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening financial literacy, consumer protection, and responsible financial practices among sugarcane farmers.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will jointly organize awareness programs, training sessions, and community outreach to help growers better understand financial management, lending processes, and their rights under consumer and financial laws, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday.
Consumer Council Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil said the partnership represents a milestone in advancing rural consumer protection and empowering farmers to make informed financial decisions.
Sugar Cane Growers Fund Chief Executive Officer Raj Sharma said the MoU formalizes cooperation between the two organizations to promote responsible financial behavior and ensure that growers are equipped to make informed choices.
Sugarcane remains one of Fiji's most important agricultural industries and a key pillar of the rural economy, supporting the livelihoods of around 200,000 people, including about 12,000 registered growers.
Fiji exports most of its sugar to the European Union and Britain under long-standing trade agreements that provide duty-free and quota-free access, while smaller quantities are shipped to the United States, New Zealand, and other Pacific countries.
In recent years, Fiji has also been exploring new markets in Asia, including China and India, as part of efforts to diversify its exports and reduce dependence on traditional buyers. ■
