Biz News Flash
Fijian farmers urged to plant more rice to reduce imports
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-09 11:25
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SUVA -- About 50 farmers in Fiji's Central Division on Wednesday attended this year's first training course on rice production at a rice model farm in Naselai with an aim to increase rice plantation in the country to reduce imports.
The one-day training was opened by Principal Agriculture Officer (Central) Peni Rika who stressed the importance of farmers working with the government to revive the rice industry.
"Agriculture is at the fore-front of government's drive in reviving the economy, so the (Fijian) Agriculture Department is working hard to ensure that we develop and sustain our agriculture sector,"said Rika.
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Senior Agriculture Officer Jone Matawalu also urged that rice is one of the few commodities in which the current government is focusing on for the next three years.
"We have been trying to revive the rice industry and it first has to start with trying to convince the farmers of the benefits of rice farming," he said, adding that this is the first phase and the government will conduct more training for farmers around the country.
According to Fiji's Agriculture Department, its Plan of Action will include reviving all existing rice irrigation schemes, account all rice growers in cane belt areas, identifying of new potential rice areas including irrigation and encouraging private investment.
It also includes planting 700 hectares in irrigated areas from existing farms, assisting farmers with land preparation, empowering of rice farmer's cooperatives, farmer trainings and closer coordination with Rewa Rice which is currently buying at 750 Fiji dollars per ton from farmers around the country.
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