MINISTER HON. FAIYAZ SIDDIQ KOYA’S REMARKS AT THE WORLD FOOD DAY CELEBRATION

 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Bula Vinaka and a very good evening to you all.
 
Firstly, I would like to thank His Excellency, the President, for being here today. As the Head of State, you have set the example for all Fijians when it comes to advocating and championing reduction in NCDs and food security.
 
We would like to congratulate His Excellency for being recognised as an Eminent Champion for the UN Food Systems Summit 2021, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
 
Excellency Sir, you are flying the Fijian flag on food and livelihood security at a national and international level.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we mark a very important day on the global calendar – World Food Day.
 
When we think of food – we imagine biological sustenance. We imagine nutrients and energy for the body. We imagine enjoying a meal with our close ones at restaurants and in our homes. But far too often we forget there are millions of people around the world who are deprived of this very basic human need.
 
Today, we are reminded that the essence of food is much more than that. It is key to the eradication of hunger and poverty. Food security and having access to nutritional food is critical for a healthy and productive nation.  It is especially important now, with wide ranging disruptions in supply chains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    
During this global pandemic, we need to bring the focus back to the essentials.  We need to get Fijians thinking local and buying local. This will not only create economic activity, but also provide a supply of fresh, healthy and nutritious Fijian Grown produce.
 
And this is possible through hard work and innovation. An example of this is the Seaqaqa Farm Fresh Pte Limited, which has recently been licensed as Fijian Grown. They produce lettuce, capsicum, tomatoes and chillies, and supply to the supermarkets and hotels in the Northern Division. 
 
Pacific Ocean Culture in Navua, for example, breeds prawns, fish and eels, which are supplied to the local markets, hotels and are soon venturing into exports.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Our very own national brand ‘Fijian Made-Buy Fijian’ initiative is vitally important in this regard. We need to support it and become ambassadors of this brand.
 
You may ask why?
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Fijian Made brand provides opportunities, especially for MSMEs, to get brand recognition locally and on a global stage for homegrown products.
 
The licensed businesses are able to promote and sell their products in the domestic, regional and international markets, and create greater revenue, local jobs, and add to the socio-economic development of Fiji.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
These businesses have a wide variety of products under each emblem, simply signifying our ability to produce products of a remarkable quality.
 
For example, Golden Cowrie Complex Ltd, who’ve recently been licensed as Fijian Grown, for 22 fruits and vegetables, such as, rourou, bele, cabbage, papaya, karela, passion-fruit, to name a few.
 
In the Fijian Organic sphere, we have Docs Organic, who are licensed for seedless lime and meyer lemons, sold in the Fijian market. There are also firms that are producing organic honey.
 
Under the guidance of the Ministry’s Department of Co-operative Business and FAO, the Wainuqa Farmers’ Co-operative from Nabulini, joined the Fijian Made brand. They are famous for their vudi and kumala chips, which can be found at 5 Total Fiji outlets. The Co-operative employs 70 Fijians and majority are women.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
These are just some of the many successful Fijian businesses that carry the Fijian brand proudly.
 
There is great potential for more Fijian businesses to join the Campaign, and I strongly encourage you to do so, if you haven’t already. 
 
At this point, I call upon businesses that are part of the Campaign, to remember that your actions impact our national brand.  You should ensure that the quality, standards, authenticity and brand equity is always maintained. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Some of us, in the room, continue using recipes that have been passed down for generations. So why not use local produce to keep these recipes alive.
 
Tonight, we’re sharing with you a special video that beautifully carries forward the Fijian brand and ties well with the theme of this year’s World Food Day. The recipes, include healthy and nutritious Fijian Grown and Fijian Made items, by one of our greatest ambassadors.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen
Coming back to tonight’s event, I now call upon His Excellency, the President Sir and the Hon. Minister for Agriculture to come forward and launch the Fijian Made recipe video. You will find the video on the Fijian Made Facebook page and the Ministry’s website (mcttt.gov.fj).
 
I wish you all a “Happy World Food Day”. And I congratulate the UN FAO for reaching a milestone of 75 years, in promoting inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.
 
Thank you and Vinaka Vakalevu.