There has been a significant rise in applications for the Ministry of Agriculture’s rice farming planting grant for the 2025 season, signaling positive engagement from the farming community. Mukesh Kumar, the chief executive officer of Fiji Rice Limited (FRL), indicated that the interest has been markedly stronger than in previous years, with 283 farmers applying—an increase of 130 compared to last year.
Notably, the push for greater participation from female farmers has resulted in 46 women applying for the grant, reflecting an encouraging trend towards inclusivity in agriculture. The planting of rice seedlings is scheduled to take place between November 1, 2024, and January 31, 2025, for those seeking approval for the grant.
To foster increased participation, the Ministry has conducted rice farming training programs aimed particularly at encouraging iTaukei farmers. This effort aligns with a recent increase in the paddy price, from $850 to $1000, which has piqued interest in rice cultivation. Kumar emphasized that the financial assistance provided by the grants will help alleviate the high costs of farming inputs.
In a proactive step, the FRL is set to distribute an additional $150,000 budgeted by the Government for the 2024/2025 financial year to facilitate more farmers receiving these grants. To boost production, FRL has implemented a requirement that farmers supply 80 percent of their paddy to the organization, which aims to enhance rice output.
Furthermore, Parmesh Chand, the Permanent Secretary for Civil Service, stressed the importance of involving landowners and village communities in rice farming, highlighting the lucrative potential of rice in comparison to other cash crops.
During the application process, interest from 57 iTaukei farmers was noted, as Kumar reiterated the importance of expanding the local rice industry to reduce Fiji’s import bill, which currently stands at $60 million, with local production only achieving 17 percent self-sufficiency. There is a concerted effort to enhance rice production in Viti Levu, which has historically lagged behind Vanua Levu in yield.
Kumar assured the community that the funds allocated for the planting grants would be managed responsibly, with rigorous merit-based selection processes in place to prevent misuse. He confirmed that the FRL is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to monitor the program, including on-the-ground verifications before disbursing any payments.
The FRL offers different tiers of assistance based on the scale of farming operations, providing varying subsidy amounts depending on farm size, which can benefit both small and larger commercial farmers.
This development reflects optimism for Fiji’s agricultural sector, suggesting that with increased participation from farmers—especially women—along with greater government support, the country could significantly bolster its rice production capabilities and reduce dependency on imports.
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