A three member delegation from the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International (CABI), met today with the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu and Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, Dr. Andrew Tukana at the ministry headquarters in Raiwaqa.

CABI works on the biggest challenges facing humanity – hunger, poverty, gender inequality, climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Their Medium-Term Strategy sets out what they plan to do in each of these areas by pursuing five major goals.

CABI’s mission is to improve people’s lives worldwide by providing information and applying expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Dr. Feng Zhang the Regional Director for East and South East Asia, said that they are grateful for the opportunity to meet with the senior management of the ministry and discuss on issues of mutual benefits.

“We are here to build networks with important stakeholders such as the ministry, Pacific Community (SPC), Fiji National University (FNU) University of the South Pacific (USP) and Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF),” explained Dr. Zhang.

“This meeting is to merely identify country needs and key areas with potential for collaboration projects between Fiji and CABI, particularly aligning with CABI Medium Term Strategy and thematic topics such as Dissemination, Communication and Extension (DCE), Invasives, Value Chain and Trade, Digital Development, Pesticide Risk Reduction and CABI BioProtection Portal.”

“So this mission is to basically promote CABI’s products and services and enhance our visibility in the Pacific region.”

Hon. Rayalu shared a brief insight on where the ministry is steering at the moment and the vision that the ministry is working towards.

“We want the agriculture sector to grow and in order for this to happen, we need more collaboration with all stakeholders. Your visit today is timely and we hope to learn more about CABI as we move along and of course collaborate further into the future,” added Hon. Rayalu.

The three member team consisting of Dr. Feng Zhang, Ms Sally Stone, Head of Strategic Partnerships for APAC and Dr. Ravindra Joshi, CABI Associate also had a one to one session with the Deputy Secretary for Agricultural Development, Dr. Tekini Nakidakida and the representatives of the various divisions within the ministry.

ENDS

• ← Go to all Press Releases