The Minister for Agriculture, Tomasi Tunabuna, has introduced two significant initiatives aimed at revitalizing Fiji’s agricultural sector and enhancing rural livelihoods. The AgriTourism Programme and the Scaling-Up of Agriculture Value-Added Programme were launched at the Nacocolevu Research Station in Sigatoka, marking a shift towards modernizing agriculture beyond mere primary production.
Minister Tunabuna emphasized that the AgriTourism Programme aims to create stronger ties between agriculture and tourism, a vital pillar of Fiji’s economy. This initiative comes in response to consultations held last year with chefs, procurement officers, and distributors on Denarau Island, which uncovered various challenges in local sourcing such as seasonality and quality. To combat these issues, the Ministry intends to enhance processing facilities and strengthen supply chains while implementing commercial Protected Agriculture Farming Systems to ensure consistent year-round production. The successful Denarau model will be expanded to other tourism hubs across the nation.
Additionally, the Agriculture Value-Added Programme is designed to address specific gaps highlighted during the 2025 National Women in Agriculture Symposium, particularly in the areas of mechanization and processing. A pilot phase is set to be executed to test the initiatives, refine their implementation, and establish frameworks for future expansion throughout Fiji.
During the launch event, select farmers and agri-entrepreneurs received essential equipment, tools, and support packages to help kickstart these programmes. The overarching ambition of the Ministry is to cultivate a modern, diversified, and commercially viable agricultural sector that is fully integrated with trade and innovation. This comprehensive approach not only promises to strengthen the agricultural landscape but also holds the potential for sustainable economic growth that benefits all stakeholders involved.
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