The National Women in Agriculture Symposium was officially opened this morning at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva with the theme “Celebrating Women who are transforming the landscape of agriculture in Fiji”.

In his opening address, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, Dr. Andrew Tukana said that hosting the symposium is a testament to the Ministry’s commitment to gender equality and inclusivity in agriculture.

“This symposium is an essential event that celebrates the profound contributions and achievements of women in agriculture, while also addressing the challenges they face in this vital sector,” said Dr. Tukana.

“Women in agriculture are the backbone of Fiji’s agricultural industry, contributing significantly to food production, processing and marketing and this symposium provides an opportunity to recognize your hard work, dedication and resilience,” added Dr. Tukana.

He added that bringing together women farmers, vendors, agricultural experts, policy makers and stakeholders to this event will ensure that their networks are strengthened.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways has established a Gender Mainstreaming Action Group (GMAG) as part of the Gender Transformative Institutional Capacity Development (ICD) Initiative.

“This group is tasked with ensuring that all policies, programs, planning, projects and budgeting within the Ministry are responsive to gender considerations.”

“The Ministry has taken several initiatives to address the gender gap in the agricultural sector and they include:

Development of the Policy for Gender in Agriculture (2022-2027)- This policy aims to ensure quality of access to economic resources, information, technology and training for both men and women in agriculture. It also focuses on increasing women’s representation and participation in decision making processes.

Development of the Women in Agriculture Programme- This program, with an initial budgetary funding of $300,000.00, provides support to women farmers. The program aims to increase women’s involvement in agriculture and ensure that they have the necessary resources to succeed.

Conducting training and Capacity Building- the ministry conducts various training sessions on different agricultural commodities, ensuring that women are actively encouraged to participate. This helps bridge the disparity in employment and equal opportunities in the agriculture sector.

Resource Allocation- the ministry has earmarked more resources towards developing women in agriculture. This initiative recognises the contributions of women farmers and ensures that they have dedicated resources to achieve their goals and objectives.

Gender Mainstreaming- the ministry has put in place systems to bridge disparities that previously existed in the system. This includes acknowledging the critical role women play in defining the quality of livelihoods and reaching out to them to provide additional attention and support.

“The government remains committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women across all sectors. In agriculture, this means providing access to resources, education and opportunities that enable women to reach their full potential and become leaders in their fields,” added Dr. Tukana.

“To the women who have dedicated their lives to agriculture, we salute you. Your hard work, innovation and resilience are the foundation upon which we build our agricultural success. As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that the empowerment of women in agriculture is not just an aspiration, but a necessity. By supporting and uplifting the women in our communities, we are sowing the seeds for a brighter, more prosperous future for all.”

There are over 100 women farmers and vendors from across the 14 provinces in Fiji that are attending the symposium.

On the 7th of March, participants will visit the Koronivia Research Station and participate in a hands on training on various topics tailored to their needs. Training topics include cassava flour processing, fruit jam production, chili sauce preparation, flower Arrangements, and a research field visit.

It is envisaged that the two-day program for women in agriculture will empower participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the agricultural sector and help to grow the sector in Fiji.

ENDS

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