HON. DR. MAHENDRA REDDY'S LAUNCHING STATEMENT AT RA FARM (BAINISOQOSOQO JUNCTION)

AMA
Food Processors
Fiji Rice
Members of the media
Government Representatives 
Farmers
Distinguished Guests
 
Ladies and Gentlemen
 
Bula Vinaka, Namaste and a very good morning to you all.
 
On behalf of the Government of Fiji and the Fijian people, I wish to convey our greetings to you all. As your Minister of Agriculture, I am honoured to deliver an opening address here in Ra, this morning.

Let me express my sincere thanks to the people of Rakiraki, the farmers for inviting me to officiate today’s morning programme. Rakiraki is fortunate to be in the intermediate zone which has favorable weather conditions, not too wet and not too dry.  These are perfect conditions for farming for both crop and livestock. Famers who have travelled from all over Rakiraki, your presence here today symbolizes your commitment to your individual farms and also have shown your interest to the development of agriculture sector.
 
Agriculture is the third largest industry in Fiji, and engages around 70% of the population primarily in subsistence, semi subsistence and commercial  agriculture.
 
Ladies and gentlemen, small holders, semi subsistence family farming had its good old days. It has contributed greatly to Fiji’s growth and development.
 
However, while the economy has moved on, Agriculture sector transformation has not.
 
We will now lead this transformation towards a market driven commercial agriculture which will consists of Agricultural Entrepreneurs….a shift from family farmers/family farming to Commercial farms led by Agricultural Entrepreneurs.
 
The sugar industry has benefited from long-term preferential access to the EU, but this is being phased out. Consequently, there has been a slow but gradual national shift away from sugar farming towards cultivating root crops, horticulture and livestock. Dalo (taro) is a particularly important crop both as a domestically consumed staple and for export. Other important export crops include yaqona (kava), ginger and tropical fruits such as pineapples, pawpaw and mangoes.

We now wish to derive Agriculture production and supply via market signals. We note that we have the following markets:
 

 
We need to ensure:

 
As you are aware, we are working very closely with exporters to grow our export market.
 
But at the same time, we must boost production. To do so, we need to provide market to farmers.
 
I am happy to announce today that Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA), which was formed in 2004 under the AMA Act No. 2 which established the Agricultural Marketing Authority to facilitate the purchase, sale and exportation of agro and aqua produce / products and for related matters will reach out to farmers.
 
AMA buys from farms and supplies locals businesses like RB Patel, Kundan Singh, Hardip Narayan & Sons, Kaibu Investment, Wakaya Island Resort and Tappoos Limited with these products and has been supplying Government Institutions like Hospitals and Military Base in Central and Western Division.
 
AMA is also assisting Local Exporters in supplying them the produce they desperately need to fill up their container for export and also providing processing space (on availability) to new Local Exporters who wished to venture into Exporting businesses. AMA supplies fresh and frozen Dalo, Yams, Dalonitana, Honey and Cassava to local Exporters to meet the Exporters Overseas market demands.

I am delighted to inform you that AMA stands ready to buy all crops from farmers in the near future. We have a list of produce that we will have for start and will slowly expand overtime. Currently, AMA buys Kava, Yellow Taro, uro ni vonu, kumala, dalo ni tana, honey, coconut, mud crab, prawn, lobster, moca, bele, Yellow and White Cassava, Yam, Fish, Watermelon, Rourou, Pumpkin, cucumber.
 
AMA’s COMMODITY PRICES (FARMGATE) (Current as at 11/07/19)

Whole of Fiji

 
 
Central Division

 

 
Western Division

Note :  The above are current prices subject to change depending on supply and demand

FIELD OFFICERS’ INFORMATION
 

With the global population projected to increase to 9.7 billion people by the year 2050, many worry that the agriculture industry won’t be able to support the extensive growth. As the population numbers rise, food production as it stands today could struggle to keep up with demand.
 
Growing investor interest in farmland within the past decade has prompted the revival of large-scale commercial agriculture across Fiji. As we all know that commercial farming is the pillar of the global agriculture industry. Large-scale farming is far from being a new concept.  While the foundation of commercial farming has been laid for thousands of years, the most striking transformations have occurred in the last century.
 
Thanks, in large part to technological and scientific advances, crops can now be genetically modified and manipulated for resistance to pests, molds, and certain bacteria. Medications, supplements, and feed additives for livestock have also been developed that allow producers to protect and enhance the health of their animals. While genetically modified foods are often considered unsafe and less nutritious, high-quality animal feed additives enhance the nutrition and health of animals without genetic modification.
We want to assure farmers that AMA will offer new opportunities for direct marketing of crops, which for many farmers is the critical edge that sustains an agricultural enterprise.
 
Obstacles to farmer’s venture into commercialisation are often related to lack of market, limited land size, capacity, and access to capital and finance. However, there is opportunity to increase the number of commercial farmers by developing the value-chain system and contract farming arrangement which will link farmers to the market.
 
Central to the Ministry’s approach is the development of strong public-private partnerships between governments and the private sector to help manage market access. Commodity commodities taskforce and working Groups have been established by the Ministry to assist farmers gain access to markets. These include farmers, exporters and relevant government agencies responsible for elements of market access (e.g. the Ministry of Agriculture, AMA, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism), with AMA providing the link between farmers and buyers.
 
Fiji has a number of market segments including the local markets, the tourism market and the export market. There is a need to educate our farmers on what these market segment demands. Market security is vital not only to ensure continuity of supply but also to grow farmers from subsistence level to commercial farmers. When there is a secure market and a well-organized marketing system, farmers will respond to what the market demands. However, a disorganized system and uncertain market arrangement can lead to low farming activity and inconsistent supply.
 
AMA will make sure to purchase, sell and export and also to identify markets for and to facilitate and develop marketing of agro-produce. Over the next days, we will also launch farmer ID cards which will be for all the farmers around the country which will allow us to better organise farmers. 
 
Thank you.