October 17, 2023
After a lapse of three years, the
Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways will organise the National Agriculture
Show at the Vodafone Arena in Suva from the 25th to 27th
of October 2023.
This year’s theme, “Be Resilient, Sustainable and Productive,”
aims to promote the pillars of climate-smart agriculture, sustainability,
mitigation, resilience and adaptation in the agriculture sector.
The Permanent Secretary for
Agriculture and Waterways, Dr Andrew Tukana said this year’s theme highlights
the need for appropriate agricultural strategies to ensure sustainable food and
livelihoods security, with agriculture as Fiji's backbone and hope for a
resilient sector that can grow the economy amidst climate change.
“The show aims to promote
agriculture services, showcase new products and technology, and foster
agricultural production and private-sector partnerships,” said Dr Tukana.
During the Show, there will be
daily displays by the various divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture and
Waterways; Crop Extension, Crop Research, and Animal Health and Production
which will also include a demonstration on the Production of Bacterium Culture,
Mushroom cooking, Extraction of Virgin Coconut Oil, Flower arrangement,
displays of live animals and other Livestock and Crop management practices and
presentations and displays by other Government Ministries and Departments and
invited stakeholders.
Dr Tukana said the show
encourages more farmers to venture into farming as a business and promotes
livestock and crop production for smallholder and commercial farmers.
“In addition, it gives us the
opportunity to strengthen our bond with stakeholders, civil society
organizations, and regional and international institutions that work with the
government to support agriculture in the country. It also offers us the chance
to appreciate the farmers' contributions to the agriculture sector through
farmer awards,” said Dr Tukana.
To showcase new products and
technologies, booths will be set up in a farmer’s village to allow farmers to
display and sell their products.
The first day of the National
Agriculture Show will also celebrate the 2023 World Food Day with the theme, “Water is life, Water is Food, Leave no one
behind.”
Students from selected schools in
the Central Division will also take part in oratory contests and poster
competitions on the first day of the Show.
-Ends-