The Fijian Government will continue to enhance agricultural practices with modern technology as part of efforts to raise productivity.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Rural and Maritime Development Hon. Joeli Cawaki says this would assist in reducing the national import bill and ensure Fiji is self – sufficient.
In his address at the handing over ceremony for the Division Commissioner Western, Hon. Cawaki said this was one of the main reasons the agricultural ministry was linked to the rural and maritime ministry.
“Government has noted the need for a harmonious approach and the linking of the two ministries augurs well for its development plans to making Fiji self – sufficient,” he said.
“The Fijian economy has done very well in the past five years however, there is a lot of rooms for improve and Government recognises the need for agriculture to boost this growth.”
Assistant Minister Cawaki said the western division was a critical division in government goals and development plans and would continue to ensure that idle land is fully utilised.
“We will never see the true potential of Fiji unless we utilise our land and agriculture provides us that opportunity because we continue to import millions of dollars of vegetables for our consumption. This can be our answer and agriculture is our answer to reducing food import bills for potatoes carrots and other vegetables.”
He said the Fijian government would continue to explore more advanced technological farming methods from countries it has bilateral relations with to benefit Fijian farmers.
MEDIA RELEASE