A local food processing factory, Food Processors (Fiji) Limited (FPFL) has expressed its desire to buy as much seasonal produce as possible for processing to meet the huge market demand. These seasonal produce are breadfruit, ivi and duruka.
According to FPFL General Manager, Mr Brij Lal, the popularity of local produce in overseas markets means that the supply of required quantities has become a challenge.
“Our produce is sold in the international market and the most important thing we have to ensure is that quality is not negotiable,” Mr Lal said.
Supply chain Manager, Mr Rajesh Kuldip, said they are willing to buy good quality produce to align the processing of agri-produce with market demands.
“Since breadfruit is coming into season, we are offering good prices and providing transportation for safe delivery,” Mr Kuldip said.
He added that they offer $5 per dozen for breadfruit. The entire Central Division is provided transportation and as for the Western Division, transportation sometimes correlated with their deliveries.
“As for duruka, the benchmark for processing is 22,000 to 30,000 bundles with $4 per 18 sticks of duruka in a bundle. Currently the farm gate price for ivi is $5 per kilogram,” Mr Kuldip said.
Kuldip added that crops like breadfruit and duruka are mostly grown in the wild and are prone to damages caused by natural disasters.
Cyclone Mick had caused much damage to the interior of the Central Division with duruka and other crops falling under flood waters. This affected the quality of the produce, which in turn determines the supply.
FPFL has plans to revive the crops as backyard for food security and cash income.
Together with the Ministry of Agriculture, the company aims to distribute planting materials to the farmers.
“We have had discussions with the Legalega Research Station to provide us with propagated varieties specially the marcotted ones, and this year we are looking into buying 100 marcotted breadfruit plantings,” Mr Kuldip added.
Propagation techniques enhance the early bearing of fruit trees, which increases the financial viability of a breadfruit orchard.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to establish a first ever National Breadfruit Germplasm plot at the Legalega Research Station (LRS) in Nadi in a bid to promote biodiversity.
Mr Kuldip added this will be distributed evenly to farmers covering different geographical areas. The diversification of locations will allow crops to grow, should one area be afftected by natural disaster.
For export maturity, a breadfruit must have a sufficiently long life to reach the pot of the overseas consumer and still taste good. Breadfruit varieties namely Balekana and Uto Dina are exported fresh while other varieties are processed for canning and vacuum packing.
From the time it is picked it must have a minimum of six days storage life.
Fresh breadfruit is a highly perishable commodity that requires careful handling if it is to be successfully exported.
Breadfruit for export has to be harvested at slightly less than full maturity to achieve the necessary balance between shelf-life and acceptable eating quality. Such fruit is best described as mature green.
Ideally, breadfruit should be harvested early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the build-up of field heat. Orchards should be established with trees bearing close to the ground so that efficient harvesting does not damage the fruit.
Mr Kuldip said FPFL is looking into assisting farmers with rehabilitation works after flood damages to their major supply areas.
FPFL also needs 30 tonnes of the Maleka-Dina variety of dalo on a monthly basis with the farm gate price of $1 per kilogram. Cassava requirement is 900 tonnes per month with Niu Guinea and Nadalei varieties recommended.
“Fiji Development Bank has brought the microfinance loan scheme which is quite accessible and big opportunity for farmers so we are willing to provide the framers with support letters to encourage the production,” Mr Kuldip added.
In addition, Mr Kuldip said that farmers should avoid introducing raw manure to crops as they had received complaints of this nature from overseas markets.
FPL exports canned breadfruit to New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
The Ministry of Agriculture is assisting farmers under capital programmes with technical services and also links the farmers with potential markets. Farmers should contact the Extension Services Department for advice and proper farm management practices.