Fiji government boosts funding in rice sector
The government of Fiji is boosting funding into the country's rice sector in an attempt to reduce its heavy rice import costs.
Transcript
The government of Fiji is boosting funding into the country's rice sector in an attempt to reduce its heavy rice import costs.
Currently Fiji imports more than US$20 million worth of rice each year.
Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development says money could instead be used to grow the rice sector and potentially increase the country's economy.
Inia Seruiratu told Indira Moala funds would be put in to selected areas to help develop rice production.
INIA SERUIRATU: Years back infrastructure had been made already particularly to look at irrigated rice schemes. We have these both on the two main islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu as well. So these are the specific areas that we are targeting in order to cut down our imports and do more rice growing projects in Fiji.
INDIRA MOALA: And are those the specific areas that the government has been running the Hybrid Rice Training programme?
IS: Yes. We, through the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN) sought assistance, particularly with the training of our people and of course our local farmers as well. We need to re-look at our rice varieties and to bring in new technologies as well. We have just concluded a three-month training programme for our people. And of course we also have the Chinese in Fiji now. This is a cooperation programme between us and the Chinese government to look at how we can improve these areas.
IM: There's been a long history of rice cultivation in Chinese culture so there must be a lot of invaluable wisdom and education that they can pass on to the Fijian industry. The differences in the climates between the two countries, does that affect how you will grow rice in Fiji?
IS: We take that into consideration but on the other hand they have rice breeds varieties that have been researched over the years and this is exactly what the Chinese are doing for us now. Looking at the local varieties that we have and of course bringing in other varieties as well and we go through some periods of research and trials and of course come up with better using varieties. Not only that, climate change is an issue and we are looking at drought tolerance and climate change-very resilient varieties. We're looking at how best we can adapt to the changes.
IM: Where is most of the rice imported from?
IS: Our rice import is mainly coming from Australia and of course Asian countries as well. And most of the retailers and the wholesalers, they have different sources where they're sourcing from. But it's mainly Australia and Asian countries.
IM: Is there a huge difference between the cost of rice production domestically, as opposed to importing it? Is it cheaper to import?
IS: It is cheaper to import. Definitely. But then we must come up with strategic decisions. But in terms of our own food security measures, we need to have production at the local level as well. We can't be totally relying on our imports. Most of our people depend on this industry and if that $45 million [FJD] or so can be used to purchase rice from our local farmers, that money will be circulated within the local economy.
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