The need to strengthen the linkage between farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and the Ministry of Tourism and to identify opportunities, is vital to improving the Agri-tourism sector in the Northern division.

This was stated by the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna to around 60 participants when he opened a two-days Farm to Fork Initiative workshop in Savusavu yesterday.

The ‘Farm to Fork’ workshop is a collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in cultivating a healthier relationship with the land, sea, and communities and promoting Fiji as a destination for authentic culinary experience.

“The agriculture sector has remained the backbone of Fiji’s economy since independence, hence, its impact cuts across the sectors and individuals in our developing nation,” said Hon. Tunabuna.

“The continuous increase of our local population and other factors such as climate change and rural-urban migration puts more pressure on farmers and key stakeholders to perform in a manner that can meet the demand of both our internal and external markets.”

Moreover, tourism contributes to the Fiji economy through employment, economic activity, taxation, and a multiplier for other sectors that benefit from tourism workers’ disposable incomes.

In 2023, Fiji's tourism sector flourished and hosted approximately 929,740 travellers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 4%, contributing $3.3 billion to the economy.

A study revealed that in 2017, 52% of the FJ$74.4 million spent by hotels on fresh produce was on imports and this highlighted the potential to reduce imports by focusing on local production.

“With the increase in the number of visitors visiting our shores, Fiji continues to rely largely on imported produce to meet the demand of its tourism sector,” he said.

Stressing the importance of enhancing communication and coordination between farmers and key government stakeholders, Hon. Tunabuna said the workshop will create a network to improve the Agritourism sector further, boosting Fiji’s agricultural outputs and reducing reliance on imports.

“The Farm to Fork initiative is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, representing a critical shift in how we perceive and participate in our food supply chain,” he said.

“It provides a platform to reconnect with the source of our food, honouring the hard work of our farmers, and ensuring that every step from the farm to the table is marked by integrity and responsibility,” he added.

“By promoting local sourcing, reducing food miles, and embracing eco-friendly practices, we take meaningful steps towards mitigating our environmental footprint and safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.”

“Government and development partners cannot do this alone, and to grow our Agritourism sector, it calls for partnerships across sectors, from farmers and producers to distributors, retailers, and consumers.”

Hon. Tunabuna reiterated that the success of the Farm to Fork initiative relies on collaboration, market demand, and seasonality awareness to improve planning and production for farmers.

Taveuni vegetable hotel supplier Luisa Marama said she hopes to improve on challenges and areas of consistency of vegetable supply to hotels in Taveuni and to engage and support farmers on the island.

A similar workshop will also be held in the Central Division.

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