The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Hon. Vatimi Rayalu, visited the Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) headquarters in Nausori today and received an update on ongoing operations and market activities.

During the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of AMA, Mr. Jone Sovalawa, provided a brief on the organization’s current initiatives, export performance, production challenges, and strategic development plans.

He said the AMA remains committed to enhancing the agricultural sector and fulfilling its mandate through innovative programs and sustainable development initiatives.

Last week, AMA exported a container of 1.3 tonnes of fish and other commodities to the United States of America.

Following the U.S. government’s announcement on tariffs, Mr Sovalawa said increasing the frequency of exports will help achieve economies of scale, benefiting all stakeholders.

He said there has been a notable increase in the production of key crops such as cassava and dalo.

“While this increase highlights the success of government-funded initiatives, it also presents logistical challenges. Limited storage space has led to temporary pauses in procurement from farmers,” said Mr Sovalawa.

“Currently, over 32 tonnes of produce are in storage at AMA in Nausori.”                   

Hon. Rayalu commended AMA for its efforts, noting the organization’s vital role in supporting Fiji’s agricultural sector and enhancing rural livelihoods.

“The work being done by AMA is central to our national goals for food security, rural development, and export diversification,” the Minister stated.

“We will continue to work closely with AMA to ensure the right infrastructure and policy support is in place.”

Hon. Rayalu suggested new projects, such as rural market centers and the common facility for processing of primary level products.

“We need construction of state-of-the-art collection centers and cold storage facilities. These will not only serve immediate operational needs but also act as catalysts for rural development,” said Hon. Rayalu.

AMA currently has collection centers situated in Savusavu, Dama, and Lautoka. They have plans for a collection centre in Legalega to support the Western farmers and reduce reliance on their Nausori facilities.

For their long-term infrastructure development, AMA has received permits to build a two-and-a-half-storey headquarters, with a projected cost of $8 million. Rental income could potentially generate over $4 million, contributing to long-term financial sustainability.

Additionally, there are plans to explore the commercial use of nearby rivers, including building a jetty to support transport logistics.

-ENDS-

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