HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT RATU WILIAME KATONIVERE'S ADDRESS AT THE PRESIDENTS AWARDS FOR RICE FARMERS 2022

Government Representatives;
The Board Chairman, Mr. Raj Sharma and the board members of Fiji Rice Limited;
The Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ashrit Pratap and Staff of Fiji Rice Limited;
The Rice Farmers and their families;
Recipients of this Inaugural ‘President’s Awards for Rice Farmers’;
Ladies and gentlemen.
 
Miau Sa Bula Re!
 
I am indeed honoured to be with you tonight at this inaugural President’s Awards presentation.
 
I recall launching the Awards about a year ago, and I was looking forward to this day when I will personally meet and hear success stories from farmers and all stakeholders.
 
As I mentioned at the Fiji Copra Millers Ltd President’s Awards celebration yesterday, the essence of such an award ceremony is to boost participants to work on a benchmark or to supersede the expectations that have been preset. Having Awards for the industry brings out a competitive edge in participants in this case farmers and they in turn can share their knowledge and expertise with the ultimate aim of promoting and improving the industry.
 
This President’s Awards boosts a company’s worth and reputation and celebrates hard work that makes people feel appreciated and well-respected.
 
Having looked at the category of awards being given tonight, I am proud that we have a more balanced category of awards and that we are acknowledging our women and younger generation.
 
Our aim when we support rice farmers and the industry is to produce quality rice, supply to a competitive markets and sell at a competitive cost to reach the ultimate aim of contributing to most dining tables in our country, in the region and to our suppliers.
 
I acknowledge and commend the Board and Staff of the Fiji Rice Limited for your contributions to the Rice industry in Fiji, and your tireless efforts in the recognition of our Rice Farmers and their contributions to this half a century old industry – Vinaka vakalevu!
 
I thank and congratulate the Rice Farmers, especially the recipients of the Awards to be given today, for your contributions to Fiji’s rice industry.
 
Your contributions has created opportunities for our farmers to diversify their product supply as well as to allow the Fiji Rice Limited the ability to reach its projected 5 year goal to contribute 60 percent to Fiji’s rice market, in place of the current 20 percent it serves despite being an off-season alternative crop – for that achievement a hearty Congratulations and well done!
 
I also thank the sponsors of Fiji Rice Limited and of this event for without your backing the Rice industry as well as to these Awards would not be possible!
 
I thank all stakeholders of Fiji Rice Limited and the rice industry as a whole, for their commitment and contributions to allow this 100 percent Fijian owned organisation to thrive and allow the nation some level of self-sufficiency to serve Fijians and satisfy the nations demand for rice as well as its by-products!
 
My well wishes to each one of you, and I offer my wishes of continued success to Fiji Rice Limited, to the rice farmers and your families; to the Board, Senior Management and Staff of Fiji Rice Limited; to the Sponsors and All Stakeholders of Fiji’s Rice industry!
 
Congratulations once again to tonight’s awardees, tonight you can celebrate with your achievements with great pride!
 
May God bless you and bless Fiji!