Government is targeting 250 tonnes of seaweed to be supplied to foreign markets as a result of the growing demand for seaweed in the global market for next year.
This was revealed to villagers of Sawakasa, in Tailevu, by the permanent secretary for Fisheries and Forests, Mr Inoke Wainiqolo who recently closed the Seaweed Value Adding training workshop.
“The target that has been set by Government for exporting seaweed is 250 tonnes for 2014,” Mr Wainiqolo said.
Mr Wainiqolo stated that there was a high demand in seaweed and that Government was trying to improve local seaweed production to meet the markets demand. He added that with the introduction of such training programs around to villages around the country, Government was confident of meeting its set target for next year.
“Government is therefore optimistic that with the completion of this one week training workshop, Sawakasa will be able to assist us in meeting our 250 tonnes of seaweed.
“This government is committed to bringing these types of training to assist ordinary Fijians to improve livelihoods and also to encourage income generating opportunities” said the permanent secretary. He also challenged the villagers to realise their potential and to make full use of the knowledge that they had learnt.
“Your produce will be bought at your doorstep as the markets will easily be accessible and therefore the onus is on you to produce,” he said.
Mr Wainiqolo also thanked the experts from Indonesia who conducted the workshop which was a joint venture between the Government of Indonesia, the Ministry of Women and the Ministry of Fisheries and Forests.
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