𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐅𝐈𝐉𝐈’𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘

Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐯𝐮, has commended farmers in the Northern Division for their resilience, innovation and contribution to Fiji’s food security and economic development.

He made the remarks while officiating at the Northern Farmers Awards Night 2026 in Labasa, where farmers were recognised for their achievements and contributions to their families, communities and the agriculture sector.
Hon. Bulitavu said agriculture remained at the heart of many rural livelihoods, providing food, income and employment while supporting local businesses and keeping rural economies active.

“Our farmers across Vanua Levu are producing food for their families, supplying markets, supporting businesses and contributing to agricultural value chains. They are also demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of challenges,” Hon. Bulitavu said.
Minister Bulitavu highlighted climate change and variability, rising input costs, pests and diseases, transportation difficulties and market pressures as some of the challenges affecting farmers.

He also highlighted the challenges associated with the El Niño climate phenomenon, saying that reduced rainfall and prolonged dry conditions could place additional pressure on water availability, crop and livestock productivity, irrigation and household food security.

Hon. Bulitavu stressed the importance of water conservation, efficient water management and climate-smart agriculture. This includes making better use of climate information, making appropriate planting decisions, adopting water-efficient farming practices, diversifying production and using technologies that can help farmers withstand drought and changing weather conditions.

“As Government, we must lead. But as a nation, we must act together,” he said.

Reflecting on this year’s National Agriculture Show theme, “𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉, 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑮𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔,” Hon. Bulitavu said Fiji’s agricultural future must focus on sustainable production while ensuring farmers were able to earn better incomes from their work.
He said green growth involved protecting soils and waterways, using natural resources responsibly, conserving water, and adopting climate-smart practices and technologies.
At the same time, farmers must be supported to move beyond primary production through processing, value addition, diversification and access to new markets.
“We want farmers to produce not only more, but better and to earn more from what they produce.”

Hon. Bulitavu also acknowledged the significant contribution of women to agriculture, noting their roles as farmers, processors, entrepreneurs, market vendors, caregivers and decision-makers within agricultural households and communities.
He also called for continued opportunities for women to access training, technology, finance, markets and productive resources.

Hon. Bulitavu said Government remained committed to creating an enabling environment for farmers through investment in infrastructure, improved preparedness for climate events, and partnerships with the private sector, development partners and communities.

He congratulated the Northern Farmers Awards recipients and extended his appreciation to all farmers across the Northern Division.

“To every farmer in the Northern Division, whether you are receiving an award tonight or not, I want you to know that your work matters,” he said.

“The food you produce matters. The income you generate matters. The employment you create matters. The knowledge you pass to your children matters. And the contribution you make to your community matters.”
Hon. Bulitavu said Fiji’s vision for the future was to have an agricultural sector that was productive, profitable, climate-resilient, technology-driven, market-oriented and inclusivee.

He encouraged farmers to continue investing in their farms and adapting to emerging challenges.

“Keep planting, keep innovating, keep investing, keep adapting, keep believing, and most importantly, keep moving forward.”
Hon. Bulitavu also commended the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry for recognising and celebrating farmers through the Northern Farmers Awards initiative.