Lands Minister Filimoni Vosarogo has cast Fiji’s push to expand domestic agriculture as a matter of national sovereignty, using recent remarks to publicly commend Grace Road Group for its growing investments in the country’s farming and commercial sectors. Vosarogo said the company’s approach — particularly direct partnerships with local farmers and investments in urban retail and services — bolsters national resilience amid persistent global instability.
“In a world of ongoing conflict, disrupted shipping routes, and volatile global prices, the ability to produce our own food is no longer just an economic advantage, it is a matter of sovereignty,” Mr Vosarogo said, framing local food production as integral to Fiji’s capacity to feed its people and maintain social and economic stability. He told reporters that investments in staples from rice to fresh produce allow Fiji to better withstand supply-chain shocks and rising import costs.
Vosarogo singled out Grace Road Group’s model of buying crops directly from farmers as a practical example of how private investment can shore up supply chains. “Their partnership with local farmers, creating reliable markets by purchasing crops directly, is a model that gives farmers confidence, encourages production, and strengthens the supply chains that underpin our entire economy,” he said, describing the arrangement as sustainable and confidence-building for producers.
Beyond agriculture, the minister highlighted Grace Road’s role in urban development, citing the company’s retail and service hubs that respond to growing urban demand. He said those projects “are not just commercial projects; they are nodes of urban development that improve quality of life,” adding that the group’s operations have created substantial employment opportunities. Vosarogo noted the company employs approximately 1,000 people across frontline retail, management and agricultural roles, calling that social impact central to livelihoods and skills development for Fijian families.
The minister’s endorsement comes as Fiji and other Pacific countries increasingly prioritise food security and resilience. International partners have also been active: the European Union earlier this year reaffirmed support for strengthening domestic agri-food systems through a $26 million project aimed at improving value chains, processing and market access across Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Domestically, government policy has moved to formalise the private sector’s role in national resilience planning, underscoring a broader shift toward public-private collaboration in preparedness and recovery.
Vosarogo positioned Grace Road’s model within that wider strategy, arguing that private investment that links production, processing and market access can complement public programmes and reduce vulnerability to external shocks. His comments signal a government preference for investment models that prioritise direct farmer engagement and local value creation rather than purely extractive approaches.
Grace Road Group, which has previously invested in agricultural and commercial ventures in Fiji, has not been alone in pursuing on-the-ground partnerships; the minister’s remarks suggest the government will continue to encourage similar investments that strengthen domestic food systems. With global supply chains remaining uncertain, the latest endorsement marks an important development in how Fiji seeks to blend private capital, farmer-level support and national policy to boost food security and economic resilience.
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