By MARAIA VULA
The Ministry of Agriculture’s ultimate goal for its 2014 programmes is to increase exports and reduce imports through the production of crops, livestock and bi-products.
The ministry’s deputy secretary, Uraia Waibuta said, in late December, the ministry had undergone a consultation process where it reviewed its Annual Corporate Plan for 2014.
“As the ministry progresses in encouraging farmers to produce for the export markets, our priority will always be on ensuring that we produce enough for our home consumption or domestic markets.”
Concerted efforts are always on enhancing Food Security programmes in Fiji.
“Since the price of commodities are dictated by supply and demand, some of the basic food crop prices are still high in the local market,” Mr Waibuta said.
Reducing imports
The ministry is now determined to reduce its import bill on rice, potato, basic fruits, vegetables, meat and other basic products.
“All efforts are directed towards imports reduction with the establishment of a dairy farm in the West which will assist in increasing our milk production supplied to Fiji Dairy Limited for processing,” he said.
“On the other hand, government is fully aware of the high production costs for some of the selected agro-inputs such as fertilisers and machines which can bring in efficiency to our production system.
Additionally the department will implement the fertiliser subsidy programme for 2014 on selected food crops and livestock commodities.
“This allows us to create an impact on the level of assistance we provide to our farmers for the Non-Sugar Agriculture and Livestock Sector.”
The ministry continues to assist some agriculture institutions in a bid to produce qualified future farmers in the rural communities especially with the new addition this year, Navuso Agriculture School.
Strengthening partnership
“Replacement farmers are becoming a serious issue, we are taking a proactive approach in strengthening such institutions,” Mr Waibuta said.“
Apart from the assistance we continue to offer to Tutu Training Centre in Taveuni and FNU, Koronivia Campus.”
The ministry through, government, has incentives in place that will encourage farmers to move into commercial agriculture.
“This is in the form of tax incentives for imported machinery and equipments and the tax free zone between Korovou and Tavua.”
Mr Waibuta believes that building partnership and moving towards agro – based industries is the only way forward for Fiji.
“We will continue to strengthen our coordinating and facilitating roles with line agencies and Non Government Organizations that deals with agricultural based industries.
“We need to industrialise some of our selected commodities, but again the full engagement of the private sector is critical,” he said.
Rice farmers are benefiting from the increase in rice paddy production in Labasa.