Picture: Minister for Agriculture Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy, PS Agriculture Mr. Ritesh Dass and Chief Economist Ms Sera Bose with copies of the 2020 Fiji Agriculture Census Report

The 2020 Fiji Agriculture Census Report was officially released today by the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy.

Minister Reddy said it had been an endeavour for the Ministry of Agriculture to attempt to consolidate these important statistics while ensuring that the best possible set of information that highlighted Fiji’s Agriculture Sector structure at a certain point in time was presented holistically and without fault.

“The Census of Agriculture is one of the key pillars of any national statistical system and in many developing countries; it is often the only means of producing statistical information on the structure and other relevant aspects of the agriculture sector.

“Furthermore, the Census data and report is also a proxy for a snapshot of rural growth and development,” said Hon. Reddy.

“Moreover, it is the only data collection instrument that produces Statistical information on farms at the lowest geographical level such as farm holdings, households etc., therefore it is an essential source of information for government and decision-makers,” he added.

Minister Reddy also highlighted that with the increased interest from different interest groups, individuals, households, corporate sectors, food processors, and external interest groups to invest in agriculture, the onus was on the Ministry of Agriculture, in particular, to provide them with different statistics for them to better understand the sector and reach informed decisions.

“Agriculture Census enables compilation of data at community-level and ensures that issues affecting farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations are included when decisions are made on matters that affect them and their livelihood,” said Hon. Reddy.

The objective of the 2020 Fiji Agriculture Census is to improve the quality of evidence-based policymaking, guide the development of Agricultural Statistics in Fiji and address unprecedented data demand to monitor national targets and Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2020 FAC reports are being released in four volumes of publications.

Volume I – 2020 FAC General Tables and Descriptive Analysis.

Volume II - 2020 FAC Detailed Analysis and report of Enumeration areas.

Volume III – 2020 FAC Gender Report.

Volume IV – 2020 FAC Administration Report.

Volume I: General Tables and Descriptive Analysis presents 118 tables on detailed findings of the 2020 FAC. Each table highlights disaggregated numbers of key demographic indicators of farming households in Fiji’s Agriculture Sector. Each indicator is also represented with graphical analysis linked to each table reported.

“During the 2020 Census period, we had a total number of 70,991 farming households with 11.9% of these being female-headed. The total population of these households were 300,861. Given that some households consisted of more than one farmer, the total number of farmers in Fiji, then, was 83,395,” elaborated Minister Reddy.

Volume II provides a detailed agricultural activity by Geographical area. The Report of Enumeration Area presents district level information on Fiji’s Agriculture Sector. This is very useful data, especially after a natural disaster, when damage assessments and estimates are warranted and much needed. This information will also be used for Agriculture Extension services.

“For the first time, we have undertaken a detailed analysis of agricultural activity by gender which is presented in Volume III. It culminates from the consensus that Gender needs to be included across sectoral policy as outlined in SDG 5, NDP and MoA SDP,” he said. 

Volume IV Administration Report, the report highlights a series of activities undertaken in the 2020 FAC highlighting systems and processes that guided the whole operation. The report also recommends methodologies and processes that should guide future agriculture data collection systems. 

Minister Reddy also acknowledged the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the relevant Government authorities that led to the success of the 2020 Fiji Agriculture Census.

The 2020 Fiji Agriculture Census can be accessed from the Ministry of Agriculture’s website on www.agriculture.gov.fj

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