The Ministry of Agriculture is working closely with cocoa farmers around the country in a bid to revive the industry.
The interest in cocoa farming has been gradually increasing with 150 growers and interested farmers from as far as Rakiraki and Nairukuruku in Naitasiri recently participating in a field day at Namau Village in Tailevu last week (Tuesday 3rd December).
While opening the field day, the ministry’s Crop Extension director, Unaisi Waibuta said the Government is seriously looking into reviving the cocoa industry in the country.
Mrs Waibuta said a total of $300,000 has been allocated for cocoa development in the budget for next year and which would be used to assist the growers in the country.
“Cocoa had always been of great interest in Fiji as it can be seen on the Fiji flag Coat of Arms where the lion is seen holding a cocoa pod,” Mrs Waibuta said.
Mrs Waibuta highlighted that government had been encouraging people to plant cocoa on large scale since the early 1970’s and some of the cocoa trees planted at that time still exist.
“Local cocoa production had been at its best in 1987 when Fiji produced 468 tonnes of dried cocoa beans, which over the years had gradually decreased to10 tonnes this year,” she said.
Ministry of Agriculture through its Extension Division will continue to work with existing cocoa growers to increase cocoa production in the country.
Senior Agriculture Officer (Tailevu) Sanaila Turaga said the reason for downfall of the cocoa industry was due to the unavailability of market, outbreak of pest and diseases and farmers losing interest in growing the commodity.
“Many farmers also chose to plant other cash crops for quick income as cocoa is a seasonal crop and did not have much involvement by the Government to assist them during 1980s and 1990s,” Mr Turaga said.
“With the assistance provided by Government this year, more farmers have now shown interest in growing cocoa which will certainly increase production over the years.
“Under the Cocoa Revitalization program, existing cocoa plants will be maintained and more planting will be done in some areas,” he added.
Mr Turaga said that some of the work currently being undertaken involved maintaining existing plants include pruning of taller trees, weeding and application of fertilizer.
“There has been a huge demand for dried cocoa beans in the export market and currently farmers are receiving a price of about $5.00 per kilogram from some of the exporters,” Mr Turaga said.
He said that the ministry has established a mobile team which is working closely with cocoa growers to ensure that the industry is revived and the production increases to meet the growing market demand.
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