11 Aug 2016

Fiji farmers told to get back to traditional crops

3:58 pm on 11 August 2016

Fiji farmers are being encouraged to return to growing traditional crops and farming practices.

Market vendor with taro crop for sale at the Lautoka Municipal Market, Fiji

Market vendor with taro crop for sale at the Lautoka Municipal Market, Fiji Photo: RNZI/Sally Round

The Minister of Agriculture Inia Seruiratu said there has been a shift in farming produce over the years due to different market demands.

A workshop held in Nadi this week addressed the need for better resilience in the agriculture sector as well as the lessons learned since Cycone Winston struck in February.

Forty-two people were killed when Winston swept through the country and caused widespread destruction to the its infrastructure and farming sector.

Mr Seruiratu said farmers have had to learn the hard way.

"Most of our farmers have totally neglected traditional crops which our grandfathers used to have and these are the ones that help them post-disaster in terms of their food security. They have learned. They have definitely learned a lot."