The Fiji Crop and Livestock Council is currently addressing concerns over declining consumer trust in the quality of produce being supplied by farmers. Viliame Lomaloma, a farmer from Savusavu, highlighted that farmers selling damaged or rotten produce are damaging the reputation of those who are committed to maintaining high-quality standards. During the pandemic, local companies like Kaiming Agro Processing Ltd helped farmers by purchasing surplus ginger; however, the sale of substandard ginger has led to a loss of confidence among these buyers.
Raj Sharma, Chief Executive of the Fiji Sugar Cane Growers Fund, has urged farmers to collaborate with the Ginger Association to tackle these issues effectively. He believes that farmers should present their grievances to the association, which can work on negotiations with buyers to improve quality standards.
This situation reflects broader concerns regarding the quality of fresh produce in Fiji, as noted by consumer complaints about spoiled items in supermarkets, highlighting an ongoing quality control problem in the food supply chain. The Consumer Council of Fiji has noted that food quality concerns led to almost 400 complaints over the past year, making it the top issue among consumers.
In response to these challenges, there have been calls for the establishment of stricter regulations and improved food safety initiatives. A National Food Safety Taskforce has been formed to enhance coordination among government entities and to ensure that proper practices are followed in the handling and selling of food products.
Farmers gathered recently for a two-day Economic Summit in Suva, where they expressed their challenges and sought solutions from relevant authorities, emphasizing the need for training and market access to enhance their production capabilities and secure better reputations in the marketplace. This summit reflects an important step toward fostering a more resilient agricultural sector that meets consumer expectations and strengthens market trust.
With collective efforts and improved practices, there is hope for a revitalized agricultural sector and enhanced consumer confidence in Fiji’s food system. The proactive responses from both farmers and regulatory bodies indicate a pathway toward a brighter future for Fijian agriculture.
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