The flatlands in Navua were once well known for rice farming in Fiji and these past few months, the Research and Extension Divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, in collaboration with China Aid –Fiji have been working on revitalizing rice in the Serua and Namosi Provinces.

Senior Agriculture Officer (Serua/Namosi), Inosi Vulawalu said interest in rice farming declined over the years due to rural to urban drift as well as changing weather patterns that affected rice production.

“The Ministry is keenly working towards reviving rice farming and boosting production in Navua. We have already started our consultation with interested farmers, forming clusters as well as introducing mechanization. That is why we set up an off-season rice demonstration plot which has all the packaged training for farmers,” explained Mr. Vulawalu.

Mr. Vulawalu added that if more farmers venture into rice farming, families will be able to improve their food security status as they will not have to worry about purchasing imported rice.

China Aid Fiji team leader Chen Huazao, said that according to their rice research, Fiji has a high number of elderly rice farmers that are between 50 and 70 years old.

“This is a great opportunity for young landowners to utilise their land and approach us should they need more advice and information.”

“Some of the problems that we saw that contribute to the low production and poor quality of rice in Fiji include poor rice land preparation, wrong fertilizer application, pests and weeds control occurrence as well as planting methods,” he said.

“At the end of May this year, a rice demonstration plot was established on Mr. Vicky Vikash Narayan’s farm in Navua on an area of 2787m² using the recommended package of rice practice by the Chinese and Research team,” he added.

“The Bold grain variety was planted in dry land in the off-season using the seeder-inline method with a total harvest of 1,447.7 kg, the highest yield obtained in the off-season for that area.”

Mr. Chen added that the recommended practice package will boost rice production in the Navua locality and improve food security in Fiji.

Mr. Narayan said the practical field rice training and the bid to revitalize rice farming in Navua has enabled him to return to his former passion for rice farming.

“I used to farm rice but because of challenges faced, I decided to stop. With the new and improved rice cultivation techniques and technologies, I am keen to plant rice again,” he said.

The Chinese experts have established 10 rice demonstration bases in areas such as Navua, Koronivia Research Station, Fiji National University, and the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute.

ENDS

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