Potato planting farmers in Nadarivatu were recently successful in having their first harvest of potatoes processed into potato chips by the Flour Mills of Fiji.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Col Mason Smith said that it was a milestone for these farmers to have potatoes from their farms value added.
“I must congratulate the farmers for their hard work and dedication which has paid off today and I know that there will be many more great harvests to come.
“The potatoes are of great quality and are bigger in size than most of the potatoes that are imported.
“I must commend our agriculture officials who have been committed in their duties to visiting the potato farms as well as ensuring that proper management practices are used on the various potato farms,” he added.
Col Smith said it is a major step in the Ministry’s aim of reducing potato imports and trying to increase local production.
Last week, the Lautoka Agriculture Office managed to sell 3.5 metric tonnes of potatoes at 90 cents a kilogram.