The Taiwan Technical Mission, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, held a guava cultivation observation meeting for 60 participants at their Nausori office on Wednesday.
The meeting aimed to provide technical training primarily for women from three villages in the Navuakece district of Naitasiri. It also included experts from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and students from the Fiji National University (FNU).
Expert Pascal Kuo from the Taiwan Technical Mission explained that the training session addressed essential topics such as understanding the guava fruit, preparation and planting techniques, care, pest and disease management, and the harvesting process.
“The women learned how to cultivate guava and, through effective management, achieve sufficient yields that can be sold in markets for profit,” Mr. Kuo stated. He also emphasized the importance of cultivating guava for enhancing the economic independence of women in the community, which contributes to broader community development through small-scale economic enhancements.
Mr. Kuo noted that growing guava in the South Pacific is particularly promising due to the favorable climate for tropical and subtropical plants. He mentioned that the Taiwan Technical Mission has assisted over 50 farmers who collectively manage 17 hectares of land, with an average yield of 4.61 tonnes per hectare, translating to an annual operating income of approximately $69,150.
Additionally, he highlighted that guavas contain a high level of vitamin C, exceeding that of kiwi fruit, and can satisfy the daily vitamin C needs for a family of ten.
“Guava is a lucrative business opportunity in Fiji, and the fruit produced in winter has the best quality, being exceptionally sweet,” Mr. Kuo concluded.