Applications for the Ministry of Agriculture’s rice farming planting grant for the 2025 season have witnessed a significant increase, signaling growing interest among local farmers. Mukesh Kumar, the chief executive officer of Fiji Rice Limited (FRL), reported that 283 farmers have applied, which is an impressive rise of 130 applicants compared to previous years. Notably, there has been a concerted effort to engage female farmers, resulting in 46 women participating in the grant application process.
To qualify for the planting grant, rice seedlings must be planted between November 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025. The Ministry of Agriculture has conducted training programs nationwide, focusing particularly on encouraging iTaukei farmers to venture into rice farming. This increased interest among the iTaukei community can be attributed to the rising price of paddy, which has increased from $850 to $1000.
The grant program will receive additional funding of $150,000 from the government for the 2024/2025 financial year to help farmers offset high input costs. FRL aims to enhance rice production by requiring farmers to supply at least 80 percent of their paddy yield to the company.
Parmesh Chand, Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, emphasized the importance of engaging landowners and village communities in rice farming, especially given the crop’s lucrative prices compared to other cash crops. During the application period, 57 iTaukei farmers also showed interest in the grant.
To address Fiji’s substantial rice import bill, which amounts to $60 million, FRL is encouraging more farmers to enter the industry and operate on a commercial scale. Currently, the country is only 17 percent self-sufficient in rice production, with an emphasis on increasing production in Viti Levu.
Kumar reassured that measures are in place to prevent misuse of grant funds, with strict monitoring and a merit-based selection process involving Ministry of Agriculture staff.
The planting grant offers assistance to three categories of farmers—small, semi-commercial, and commercial—with specific subsidy amounts based on farm size. For example, small-scale farmers with up to 5 acres can receive support for two acres, while larger commercial farmers can receive assistance for up to seven acres.
This surge in applications reflects a positive trend toward boosting local agriculture and reducing dependency on rice imports. With structured support and encouragement for both male and female farmers, the future of rice farming in Fiji looks promising.
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