Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Ritesh Dass met with China’s representative to Fiji and Economic and Commercial Counselor, Ms. LI Zhi at the Ministry’s Head Office in Raiwaqa today.
Ms. LI Zhi during her meeting said that China is keen to strengthen its agriculture ties with Fiji through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Areas of possible cooperation discussed during the meeting included foreign investment from China; knowledge transfer; rice production expansion; local mushroom production; modernising agricultural through inception of relevant technologies, and value adding opportunities utilising local produce.
Mr. Dass expressed the Ministry’s appreciation for the assistance offered by the Chinese Government. He looked forward to the re-opening of the international borders so that the Ministry could capitalise on the Chinese expertise in agriculture whereby Fijian farmers and agriculture technicians could learn a lot from.
Ms. LI was accompanied by China’s First Secretary, Mr. Gao Iianjia, and Second Secretary (Economic and Commercial), Mr. Fu Yuanfeng.
Also present at the meeting was the Agriculture Head of Research, Mr. Shalendra Prasad and Principal Agriculture Officer (Policy), Mr. Akuila Nacoke.