Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, MSME and Communications Manoa Kamikamica recently inaugurated Fiji’s fourth Grow+ Remote Greenhouse, collaborating with the Bia-i-Cake Women’s Cooperative in Nagigi village, Savusavu. This project, which cost $42,000, features advanced automated irrigation systems and has the potential to produce an impressive 50,000 vegetable seedlings each year. This initiative is significant not only for enhancing Fiji’s agricultural capacity but also for empowering women and bolstering community resilience.
Since its launch in 2022, the Grow+ programme by BAT Fiji has already facilitated the distribution of over half a million vegetable seedlings this year alone, with goals set for a million seedlings annually by 2024. The program aims to reach various remote areas, including Taveuni and Moala, and is now extending its benefits to Nagigi.
Kamikamica praised the partnership with BAT Fiji, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and improving rural livelihoods. He highlighted the cooperative’s entrepreneurial spirit, established in 2020, and its aspirations to expand into commercial farming and aquaculture, which aligns with the Fijian government’s Look North Policy focused on enhancing rural community potential.
Accompanying the greenhouse launch was the unveiling of the Cooperative’s five-year Strategic Plan (2024–2029) and a new logo, reflecting their vision for a sustainable future. Mr. Kamikamica expressed gratitude toward BAT Fiji and the Bia-i-Cake Women’s Cooperative for their dedication to fostering economic empowerment and sustainable development in Fiji, encapsulating a spirit of collaboration and innovation essential for the nation’s progress.
In this light, the opening of the greenhouse not only stands as a testament to agricultural development but also serves as a beacon of hope for community engagement and women’s empowerment in Fiji’s economy. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of local food solutions, echoing sentiments from related entrepreneurial efforts like Million Green Fiji, which promotes self-sufficiency through local food production.
Overall, the greenhouse represents a significant stride toward food security, biodiversity conservation, and economic sustainability, bringing together community-driven efforts to create a resilient agricultural sector in Fiji.
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