Fiji Rice Pte Ltd and the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) have recently entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at improving lease arrangements for landowners and tenants in the rice farming sector. This collaborative effort seeks to empower resource owners to engage in rice cultivation more effectively.
According to Mukesh Kumar, the CEO of Fiji Rice Ltd, the MOU’s primary goal is to foster a close partnership among various stakeholders, particularly with the TLTB. This partnership will promote the exchange of ideas and information, facilitating better service delivery to farmers involved in rice production. Kumar expressed a commitment to bolster the development of rice farmers, especially iTaukei landowners, by identifying suitable lands for rice farming and enhancing awareness of the industry through capacity-building initiatives.
Fiji Rice Ltd has previously collaborated with landowners in Vanua Levu, specifically in regions such as Vunivutu, Yalava, and Tabia, and has pinpointed 400 acres in Tailevu for rice farming. The company is now looking to expand its efforts in Viti Levu as well. The overarching ambition of this initiative is to increase local rice production and ultimately reduce dependence on imported rice. In 2023, Fiji Rice produced 1,300 tonnes of rice, with an expected increase to 1,700 tonnes this year, and the future target is set at 4,000 tonnes within the next two to three years.
Currently, there are about 650 rice farmers operating in Fiji, but with the new MOU, Fiji Rice hopes to welcome an additional 100 to 150 farmers into the fold. Kumar is encouraging current and potential farmers to take advantage of the favorable planting conditions and to increase their rice output.
This initiative presents an optimistic view for the future of local rice farming in Fiji, showcasing a commitment to agricultural growth and sustainability while enhancing the livelihoods of many landowners and farmers in the region.
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