A new $50,000 greenhouse project has been launched in Kavala, Kadavu, marking a significant advancement in local agricultural practices. The facility, which is equipped with an automated irrigation system, water tanks, and a pressure pump, can produce up to 5,000 vegetable seedlings each month—translating to around 50,000 seedlings annually. This initiative is set to greatly enhance agricultural productivity in the Kavala region.
The greenhouse was inaugurated by British American Tobacco Fiji in collaboration with the Government and local communities. It represents the fifth installment in the company’s Grow Fast Remote Greenhouse project, a key segment of their Grow Plus Programme.
Tomasi Tunabuna, the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar, highlighted that this facility is intended to provide farmers with a reliable supply of high-quality seedlings throughout the year, irrespective of climatic conditions. The introduction of the greenhouse is expected to diminish dependence on imported fresh produce, fortify local food security, and open new income avenues for households.
Tunabuna remarked, “Greenhouses have the potential to help farmers grow consistent, high-quality seedlings, regardless of the climate. This will, in turn, improve crop quality, reduce pest pressure, and help stabilize production throughout the season in Kavala.”
This initiative aligns with the Government’s Non-Sugar 10-Year Agriculture Sector Policy, which focuses on diversifying agriculture beyond sugarcane production.
British American Tobacco’s General Secretary, James Goldring, stated that the new greenhouse is anticipated to yield over a million seedlings within the year, further enhancing BAT Fiji’s support for farmers in the southern regions of the country. The Grow Plus Programme has already extended its greenhouse infrastructure across Fiji, with similar facilities operating in Nadarivatu, Taveuni, Lau, and Savusavu.
This project not only emphasizes the support for local agriculture but also embodies a commitment to sustainable farming practices that could benefit the community for years to come.
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