Government continues to present agriculture as the principal economic mainstay or economic backbone of this country though with reliance mainly on sugar says Primary Industries Minister, Joketani Cokanasiga .
These were opening remarks at a one-day Consultative Forum on Fiji Agriculture Research Council and the Fiji Crops and Livestock Council held at the Studio Six Conference room in Suva this morning.
“The purpose of this forum is to consult with each other in the planning for the establishment of the proposed Fiji Agriculture Research Council and Fiji Crops and Livestock Council before its launch on the 20th of July at the Vodafone Arena during the Crest Agriculture Show, 2010.”
Mr. Cokanasiga stressed to the 100 participants from the business community as well as agriculture stakeholders that the agriculture sector has great potential in other sectors such as tourism and agro-industries.
“The agriculture sector now faces many challenges and issues which need to be addressed and there are strategic issues which are currently being addressed by Government such as the availability of arable agricultural land and security of tenure.
“Once these issues are addressed, then farmers will be able to achieve production targets thereby reducing imports, increase exports which, will in turn reduce poverty and achieve economic prosperity and food security for Fiji and her citizens,” Mr. Cokanasiga said.
Mr. Cokanasiga stressed the need for agriculture to be science based and market driven.
“Whilst supporting our subsistence and small holder farmers, considerable effort must be made to encourage commercialization and mechanization of the agriculture sector.”
He spoke about the opportunities that exists to improve policy and legislation that govern the agriculture sector to make it more responsive to the needs of stakeholders.
“This will also improve resource capacity, improve research and development, improve market access, improve productivity and enhance stakeholder partnerships.
“ At the moment, some existing non sugar industry councils is yet an informal industry where farmers and traders work in different directions. The Ministry is its attempt to stabilize this is committed to form these two main councils that will sustain the steady flow of resources directly to farmers through extension and research activities,” he added.
The proposal to form these councils is welcomed as its creation and establishment augurs well with the development of the agriculture sector as a whole and for the future.
Contact Principal Agriculture Officer (Information), Mr. Nacanieli Takele on phone 3383155 extension 296 or email: ntakele@govnet.gov.fj for more on this forum.