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Fiji’s rice production is expected to increase in 2009 as the Agriculture Ministry continues to work with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to assist local farmers.
Interim Primary Industries Minister Joketani Cokanasiga said with the assistance of the interim Government and relevant stakeholders, rice production would almost double next year.
He said the ministry was working with respective stakeholders and development partners like FAO towards developing Fiji’s rice industry.
“We hope that by end of next year or this time next year, we will be producing 17,000 metric tonnes of rice,” Cokanasiga said.
He said that FAO along with other stakeholders were assisting rice farmers by providing relevant farming equipment while the Government focused on land development for these farmers.
“These stakeholders are the ones who are fully supporting us in the rice development in the form of farm tractors and harvesters because those are the very critical areas we need,” Cokanasiga said.
“On the other hand, the allocations provided by the Government in the 2009 Budget will be used to develop the land and get seeds for the farmers.”
Cokanasiga said the ministry was currently focusing on rice production in Dreketi in Macuata on Vanua Levu.
“Dreketi has irrigated rice farms and likewise in the Northern Division, the Labasa area has rain fed rice, and also in Navua where the rice industry is also being developed,” he said.
