The Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry, alongside various government agencies and international partners, has successfully delivered a total of 33 solar freezers to rural fishing communities. Minister Alitia Bainivalu announced in Parliament that 21 of these solar freezers were allocated to the Eastern Division, benefiting residents in Lomaiviti, Kadavu, and Lau.
Additionally, the Western Division received nine solar freezers, which were distributed to coastal villages across Yasawa, Ra, and Nadroga/Navosa. In the Northern Division, five solar freezers were provided to the remote islands of Yadua, Kia, and Cikobia. The Central Division was given three solar freezers for areas including Qoma and Yanuca Island.
Minister Bainivalu emphasized that this initiative aims to tackle the challenges faced by isolated fishing communities, particularly regarding the preservation of their catch and maintaining the quality of fish products en route to market. She noted that this program stems from comprehensive consultations with these communities, with the intent of minimizing fish spoilage, cutting post-harvest losses, and enhancing the overall value of their catch.
Furthermore, the initiative is aligned with the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability by promoting renewable energy resources. Ms. Bainivalu highlighted that the assistance is targeted at communities lacking access to ice plants and the ability to purchase ice for preserving their catches.
The ministry considers four key criteria when determining eligibility for this assistance: accessibility and isolation, community readiness and organization, previous engagement and data sharing, as well as donor and partner priorities.