Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu, visited selected farms in Navua today to witness the various developments in their farms.

He commended their hard work and dedication to ensuring food security for families in Fiji and also emphasized the importance of the need to recognize farmers for their vital contributions.

“The Ministry values your continuous hard work and dedication in growing food for our communities,” said Hon. Rayalu.

“Your efforts are crucial to ensuring food security for Fijians, and the Ministry is committed to supporting you in every way possible.”

He encouraged the different farmers that he visited to keep striving for excellence and also highlighting their role in ensuring food security for the nation.

Today, Hon. Rayalu also visited Kaiming Agro-Processing facility in Navua, which is a family oriented ginger processing company that offers a range of quality ginger products including crystallized bare ginger, syrup ginger, sushi ginger, ginger spread, ginger shots and many more.

“The Ministry had assisted Kaiming in the last financial year with a grant of $150,000.00 under the Commercial Agriculture Development Program. This injection of investment proved worthwhile as he increased each of his 22 pool storage capacity from 25 tonnes to 40 tonnes per pool for his brined ginger,” explained Hon. Rayalu.

“To date, Kaiming Agro Processing Pte Ltd (KAPPL) is the largest ginger exporter to the North America Region, and we have identified them as a key exporter and player in ginger. From May 2023 to March 2024, the company exported 500 tonnes mature ginger to the USA.”

Hon. Rayalu added that the assistance was given at the right time when the company was desperately seeking for help to expand their storage facility, at the same time accommodate the over excess of mature ginger on the ground from late last year to the beginning of this year.

Mr. Kaiming expressed his gratitude to the Ministry for the grant he received.

“This support has been invaluable in helping me enhance my production and work towards meeting the growing market demand,” he said.

He also elaborated on how the grant has not only improved his operations but also positively impacted the local economy.

“All farmers, processors and exporters need to work together with the Ministry especially with ginger production as it has penetrated the US and European markets. Sixty percent of our processed ginger is exported to North America whilst 20 percent is exported to Australia and New Zealand and the remaining 20 percent is exported to the Europe markets,” explained Mr. Kaiming.

“KAPPL is working towards increasing production as well as brine ginger storage capacities and also invest in a new production line. But yes, we need concerted efforts by all involved and we are grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways for all the assistance that has been poured to farmers and agro-processors like us in a bid to grow the ginger industry in Fiji,” explained Mr. Kaiming.

As the leading ginger processor in Fiji, KAPPL plans to grow the Fiji ginger market. By 2026, the company will work towards growing the baby ginger market from its current 1600 tonnes to 3000 tonnes; and grow the mature ginger market from the current 400 tonnes to 1200 tonnes.

Hon. Rayalu ended his one day visit at the Navua Agriculture Office where he encouraged staff serving in the Serua and Namosi Provinces to work diligently and help farmers in the localities that they serve in.

"The farmers need us to perform to the best of our abilities. Let us work together and try to reach out to as many farmers as possible. Remember, we are mandated to ensure that Fiji is food secure at all times," added Hon. Rayalu.

ENDS

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