- Minister for Employment , Productivity and Industrial Relations, Honourable Agni Deo Singh;
- Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna;
- Members of the Diplomatic Corp;
- Government Representatives;
- The Board Chairman, Mr. Raj Sharma and the board members of the Fiji Coconut Millers Limited;
- The General Manager, Mr. John Deo and Staff of the Fiji Coconut Millers Limited;
- The Coconut Farmers and your families;
- Recipients of this Inaugural ‘President’s Award for Coconut Farmers;
- Ladies and gentlemen.
Miau Sa Bula Re!
As a former board member of the Fiji Coconut Millers Limited, I am indeed pleased to be here with you today as the chief guest of this inaugural President’s Award presentation.
I am honored to be a part of this celebration, to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the farmers who have tirelessly supplied copra, and re-planted coconuts trees working to ensure that there is consistent and sustainable supply of coconuts or copra, to our Fiji Coconut Millers Ltd.
I am equally honoured that such an award has been designed and implemented to be a motivator and an enabler for bigger, better, efficient and competitive production of copra and coconut products.
The purpose of the awards is twofold: firstly, to raise awareness of the emerging coconut products and their health benefits. Secondly, to encourage existing and new farmers to invest their time and energy into the coconut industry
I would like to commend the Fiji Copra Millers Ltd for their contribution to the coconut industry in Fiji. Their efforts to introduce high-value coconut products, invest in modern equipment and machinery, and provide free coconut seedlings to farmers are commendable. They are truly an inspiration to both new and existing farmers in the industry.
The essence of such an award ceremony is to boost participants to work on a benchmark or to supersede the expectations that have been preset. It brings out the best in participants, in this case farmers and they in turn can share their knowledge and expertise with the ultimate aim of promoting and improving the industry.
Awards such as this boosts a company’s worth and reputation and celebrates hard work that makes people, again in our case, farmers, feel appreciated and well-respected.
Today I am certain, there are a lot of success stories and I will take time to meet all farmers and hear these stories and incredible journey.
I understand that this journey has not been an easy one as there would be challenges that we face from the environment, global issues and other effects that has hindered our commitment to achieving the greatest yield or to being the farmer of the year.
Equally important, is the inclusion of the “Best Women Farmer of the Year” and the Best Youngest farmer of the year Award” – why not, we are here to empower and support the contribution of our women folk and our younger generation– our collective appreciation and acknowledgements will bring positive motivation to participants of both these important categories.
The Women and young farmers that have participated and shall collect their awards today are testament that Farming is a universal activity and they are playing a central role in contributing to positive change and the global drive to help alleviate world hunger.
I acknowledge and commend the Board and Staff of the Fiji Coconut Millers Limited for your contributions to the Coconut and Copra industry in Fiji, and your tireless efforts in ensuring that our Coconut and Copra Farmers are recognised for their contributions to this 40 year old industry.
I thank and congratulate the Coconut Farmers, especially the recipients of the Awards to be given today, for your contributions to the coconut production industry, for without you there would be no Fiji Coconut Millers organisation– Well done!
I also thank the sponsors of this event for your financial and business contributions to the Coconut industry as well as to these Awards becoming a reality!
I thank all stakeholders of the Fiji Coconut Millers Limited and the coconut industry as a whole, for their commitment and contributions to allow this 100 percent Fijian owned industry to thrive and allowing the nation to treasure for over 4 decades the importance of coconut production as the coconut is an instrumental symbol of life, continuity, generational wealth and longevity with immense value, both culturally and economically!
My well wishes to each one of you, and I offer my wishes of continued success to the Fiji Coconut Millers Limited, from the Farmers and your families; to the Board, Senior Management and Staff; to the Sponsors and All Stakeholders of the Coconut industry in Fiji!
Congratulations once again to today’s awardees and May God bless you and bless Fiji!
Vinaka vakalevu and thank you!