A team from Aitken Spence PLC, a major Sri Lankan company, explored potential agricultural business opportunities during a recent visit to Fiji through its subsidiary, Elpitiya Plantations.
The four-day trip was supported by Investment Fiji, the Commercial Agriculture Taskforce, the Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives, Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises and Communications, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways.
During their visit, the Aitken Spence delegation connected with a variety of stakeholders, including government ministries, food processors, distributors, and local farmers. Dr. Rohan Fernando, a Board Director at Aitken Spence PLC, noted that these interactions offered valuable insights and facilitated important discussions around developing sustainable agricultural opportunities in Fiji.
Dr. Fernando stated, “Fiji offers numerous possibilities for commercial farming, especially in crops like papaya, pineapples, dragon fruits, berries, coffee, tea, mangoes, cinnamon, lime, and passion fruit. Our strategy is all-encompassing, covering everything from innovative farming approaches to advanced processing techniques, focusing on local consumption and export markets.”
The visit featured productive site inspections and discussions with local stakeholders. Highlights included meetings with Nature’s Way Cooperative and Jack’s Mango Farm, where they explored opportunities for cultivating mangoes and strawberries. Additionally, collaborations were discussed with Ranadi Plantation and Bula Coffee, paving the way for potential partnerships in plantation agriculture and coffee production.
Aitken Spence aims to introduce advanced agricultural technologies and explore renewable energy solutions, which are expected to significantly boost Fiji’s agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
Kamal Chetty, Chief Executive of Investment Fiji, remarked, “The fruitful engagement with Aitken Spence aligns perfectly with our vision for sustainable economic development. We are optimistic about the benefits this partnership will bring to Fiji’s agricultural sector and the overall economy.”
Investment Fiji played a vital role in facilitating the visit, providing insights into the local investment environment, connecting Aitken Spence with local partners, and advising on regulatory and economic matters.
Aitken Spence is now preparing for further visits to conduct a more comprehensive analysis. The anticipated investment is expected to decrease Fiji’s dependence on imported agricultural goods and open up new export opportunities.