The Fijian Government’s continued efforts to improve the livelihoods of women will now see a new project unfold economic opportunities in rural communities.
Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni has revealed that partnerships have been secured with the Indonesian High Commission in Suva and the Ministry of Agriculture to train local women in producing flour from the 3 common Fijian agricultural produce namely banana, cassava and breadfruit.
“This project will see women utilise local resources to produce flour and through the assistance of Mrs. Margaret Hamilton and the Docklands Rotary Club of Melbourne, we will receive donations of bread baking equipment as well as the arrival of an expert in Fiji to train our local women on how to produce bread using the flour made from banana, cassava and breadfruit,” she said.
Dr Luveni said the project will be piloted at the Raibevu Women’s Centre in Tacirua, Suva and the skills taught will be shared throughout the four divisions in Fiji.
“This project will complement government’s Export Promotion and Import Substitution Program, given that women will be trained on using local produce to make flour and bake bread. It will not only promote food security at the subsistence level but will encourage female farmers on being creative in utilising local produce in their pursuit to earn income. To begin with, bread will be sold locally and later on, the ministry will be looking at expanding the market for these local producers,” she said.
Dr Luveni said the Ministry of Agriculture will play a key role in this project and at the same time acknowledged the continued assistance by the Indonesian government to economically empower women in Fiji.
“This project could not have come at a better time, given that the Fijian Government is promoting the “Fijian Made and Buy Fijian” campaign to diversify and strengthen Fiji’s economy,” Dr Luveni said.