Fiji is currently importing more rice than it is exporting, with imports estimated to range between $51 million and $60 million. President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere highlighted this issue and emphasized the growth potential of the local rice industry.
“The current local rice production sits at 8,000 tonnes, translating to a self-sufficiency rate of only 20 percent,” Mr. Katonivere noted during the Rice Farmers Awards event. He expressed disappointment that production levels had not improved, despite farmers having cultivated this off-season crop for many years.
He emphasized the importance of training rice farmers and extension workers in modern agricultural technologies. He also called for the exploration of rice varieties that could stimulate local demand and help reduce the country’s reliance on imports.
Moreover, he encouraged farmers to develop value-added rice products, such as brown rice and rice flour, as well as utilizing rice by-products like pollards and husks.
President Katonivere expressed his vision for local farmers to see their high-quality rice products on supermarket shelves, stating, “I want each of you to view the product and say – yes, I did that.” He reiterated the need for improvements in milling, land-use efficiency, and training to enhance production levels, bolster food security, and strive for greater self-sufficiency in the country.