The Taiwan Technical Mission, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, hosted a guava cultivation observation meeting for 60 attendees at their Nausori office on Wednesday.
The event aimed to provide technical assistance to women from three villages in the Navuakece district of Naitasiri. It also featured experts from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and students from the Fiji National University (FNU).
Pascal Kuo, an expert from the Taiwan Technical Mission, outlined the training and field day session, which covered topics such as understanding guava fruit, preparation and planting techniques, maintenance, pest and disease management, and harvesting methods.
“The women learned how to cultivate guava, which, with proper management, could yield sufficient quantities for sale in markets, allowing them to earn profits,” Mr. Kuo stated. He highlighted that this initiative not only promotes the economic independence of women in the community but also contributes to the broader development of the community through small-scale economic enhancements, creating a beneficial cycle.
Mr. Kuo noted that growing guava in the South Pacific islands is particularly advantageous due to the region’s favorable climate for tropical and subtropical plants. He reported that the Taiwan Technical Mission has supported over 50 farmers owning a total of 17 hectares of land, achieving an average yield of 4.61 tonnes per hectare. This could potentially generate an annual operating income of $69,150.
He also emphasized the nutritional benefits of guava, which is rich in vitamin C—twice the amount found in kiwi fruit—and could satisfy the daily vitamin C requirements for a family of ten.
“Guava represents a solid business opportunity in Fiji, especially since winter-harvested fruits tend to be of the highest quality and have a delightful sweetness,” he concluded.