Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu has a taste of the grated food, from the value adding machine yesterday. Photo: PAULINI RATULAILAI
By FARISHA AHMED
More goods are expected to be produced from the rejected root crops and fruits.
This was after the commissioning of the new value adding machine at the Koronivia Research Station yesterday.
Chief guest and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu said the station is progressing well.
Food processing equipments such as slicers and processors have been brought in to convert raw products into various food products.
“It has expanded its services in value adding our agriculture produce with the use of modern equipment to meet demands of our local communities,” Lieutenant Colonel Seruiratu said.
Director Research Station Miliakere Nawaikula said the team will be visiting villages and communities to show them how to use agriculture produce into income generating products.
“Not all agriculture products are exported, some are returned since they may be half rotten and bad, this can be turned into flours, fries, cakes and various other products that can be sold,” Ms Nawaikula said.
“These new machines are worth FJD$20,000 and we hope to bring out the best from these technologies by assisting communities in the country,” she said.
Endah Puspitojati, Lecturer of the Agriculture Extension College in Indonesia said, people can use such food technologies and benefit from it.
Indonesian support
“Back in Indonesia I have helped food unit teams to come up with such ideas and incorporating this idea into Fiji market is like an investment,” she said.
She said Fiji has resources but people are not making use of it.
“What Indonesia has, Fiji has it too, but people need to come out and think outside the box if they want to make money,” she said.
Lab opens new wing
The research station also saw the opening of the Fiji Agriculture Chemistry Laboratory’s Conference room and the new wing of the Product Development Unit funded by Government last year.
Lieutenant-Colonel Inia Seruiratu said the international trade environment largely influences the need for testing and laboratory accreditation to regulate markets and mitigate against technical barriers to trade.
The station expanded its services by bringing in five new fume hoods, the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer.
“As a government laboratory, supporting the accreditation process that is being undertaken signifies its commitment that Fiji will ensure that products exported are meeting the standards,” Lieutenant-Colonel Seruiratu said.