Photo: Ramesh Prasad of Karavi in Ba raises his concerns with Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy at Karavi.

The growth and development of the agriculture sector is entirely dependent on the performance or lack thereof of farmers and agriculture stakeholders.

This was relayed to farming communities in Votua, Balevuto and Karavi in the Western Division yesterday by Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy while holding informal talanoa sessions in these respective areas.

He said the primary role of the farmer was to produce agricultural primary products, whether it be crops, vegetables or livestock, highlighting that the value chain would in turn be dictated by the performance of all parties as sustained supply to meet the demands of the sector were the basic components of a healthy agricultural based economic system.

"As a farmer, you should concentrate your efforts on your production levels, increase your production, worry about your role, which is based solely on meeting the demands of the market.

"There are other actors in the value chain that have their role to play within the process, as well as our exporters who also have an immense part in this system, like you, they are taking the risk to venture into the export market and they also stand to lose if they do not meet border security requirements, so everyone has their role to play," said Minister Reddy.

He also mentioned the current level of growth of the agriculture sector was noteworthy as it highlighted the symbiotic relationship between all value chain actors within the sector; "Over the last two years agricultural fresh produce exports has increased substantially, and we want to increase agricultural exports further."

"Three years ago, agricultural exports from Fiji was around $30million, last year it was approximately $50million, this year, are targeting to reach $60million and in three years time, we want agricultural exports from Fiji to be $100million per year and that'll be easy as long as we get people to participate, particularly our landowners, people who have land, and we here are to support, that's the role of the Agriculture Ministry," he elaborated.

He stressed that all farmers nationwide must make the shift towards commercializing their farming models as it was in the nation's best interests to do so.

Meanwhile, farmers who attended yesterday's informal discussions seized the opportunity to raise their issues which ranged from but were not limited to drainage concerns, stray animals damaging farms, lack of planting materials, and the need for increased participation of women in agricultural practices etc.

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