The Ministry for Forestry has welcomed the allocation of $31.4 million for the 2024-2025 financial year, marking an increase of more than 40 percent from the previous financial year.
During the 2024-2025 National Budget debate on Monday, newly appointed Minister Alitia Bainivalu stated that the ministry would continue to tackle issues of degraded forests through their forest and ecosystem restoration program, which has been allocated $2.5 million.
Bainivalu highlighted, “The funding will strengthen and support our efforts on the reforestation of degraded landscapes, forest conservation and the reforestation of native and exotic species.” She added that these measures would contribute to forest cover and aid Fiji’s emission reduction program, aligning with international commitments to combat climate change.
The allocation will also support the establishment of nurseries, the purchase of seedlings, plantation establishment, and provide further incentive payments to communities engaging in the reforestation project.
Bainivalu noted that the reforestation activities also support their “Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation” program, known as REDD+, and their long-standing collaboration with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).
“The ministry welcomes the allocation of $1.2 million for this project, an increase of 44 percent from the previous year, to support the Readiness Phase of Carbon Trading to be implemented throughout Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni, across 10 provinces, 20 districts and targeting 117 villages, laying the strategy for operationalising the Look North Policy,” said Bainivalu.
Additionally, the ministry will continue to expand maritime pine projects to ensure that the socio-economic benefits of the forestry sector, including rehabilitation, rebuilding, and economic development, are extended to maritime communities.