Early this week, Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Honourable Alitia Bainivalu delivered her budget response in parliament in her capacity as Acting Minister for Agriculture and Waterways.

“This budget is a forward-looking roadmap that commendably aligns with the National Development Plan and the 10-Year Non-Sugar Agriculture Sector Policy to support the vital non-sugar agriculture sector,” said Hon. Bainivalu.

“I take this opportunity to honour the late Hon. Vatimi Rayalu by carrying forward his visionary legacy and deep commitment to agriculture as the foundation of Fiji’s rural life, economy, and national development.”

“She added that the budgetary allocation of $115.3 million, an increase of $14 million, demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing agricultural growth and development in Fiji for the 2025/2026 Financial Year.

“This budget covers a series of new capital programs specifically tailored to address the emerging needs of our agricultural community. These programs are designed to be innovative and responsive, tackling challenges like climate change, market access, and technological adoption head-on.”

Below are brief highlights of the ministry budget and the respective priority areas:

$154,050 to develop Home Gardens and School Farms across the country. This initiative targets urban, peri-urban, and rural communities, aiming to improve access to nutritious food, reduce market dependency, and combat nutrient deficiencies and NCDs at the District level.

A budget of $772,800 has been allocated in the 2025/2026 budget to mass-produce quality seeds and planting materials, aimed to improve agricultural productivity by supporting home gardening and commercial farming.

The Ministry is working to boost export earnings by increasing production of key commodities such as kava, turmeric, taro, ginger, cocoa, and coffee and addressing supply chain challenges to improve market access. A budget of $3.8 million has been allocated for this purpose.

$2.7 million has been set aside to boost rice research programme, rice farming and maintain irrigation schemes across several areas in Fiji. The rural rice programme remains active and welcomes participation from rural communities interested in rice cultivation.

To boost local fruit supply and reduce imports, the Ministry has allocated $97,000 for developing and improving commercial fruit orchards under the National Fruit Orchard Programme. This initiative will establish new commercial fruit orchards and enhance existing ones.

$1.4 million is earmarked for the construction and maintaining farm roads to enhance farmers’ access to essential agricultural resources like seeds, fertilizers, and markets. This development aims to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and ensure that fresh produce reaches consumers efficiently, indicating the Ministry’s strong dedication to strengthening transport infrastructure to support farmers.

The Ministry has committed substantial funding to empower women and youth in agriculture, allocating $337,000 for the Women in Agriculture Programme and $281,000 for the Youth in Agriculture Programme.

In addition $4.4 million has been allocated to upgrade training facilities and quarters at Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute and Tutu Training Centre, reinforcing efforts to equip youths with the skills necessary for a sustainable future.

Furthermore, a sum of $225,000 had been designated to assist smallholder farming households, aimed at alleviating poverty and empowering small-scale farmers.

Additionally, $1 million is allocated to the Fertilizer and Weedicide Subsidy Programme, which seeks to strengthen agricultural sustainability by enhancing access to essential resources that improve productivity, profitability, and long-term resilience.

$0.3 million in the budget has been allocated to strengthen Fiji’s food supply chain by improving market access and local capacity. This initiative aims to ensure increased agricultural production can be effectively utilized, with support from government agencies and stakeholders.

To strengthen agriculture’s future amid global challenges, $7.8 million is allocated to advance crop research through innovation and sustainability.

A sum of $15 million is allocated to enhance the services of the Extension services who play a pivotal role in enhancing crop production and enhancing agricultural development. Through education, training, and direct field support, extension officers empower farmers to improve crop yields, manage pests and diseases effectively, and adapt to changing climate conditions.

The livestock sub-sector is a cornerstone of sustainable rural development, boosting farmers’ livelihoods, strengthening communities, ensuring food and financial security, and generating income and employment through nutrition, trade, and cultural value. In boosting export earnings and reduce our dependency on imports, a sum of $14.5 million has been allocated for livestock capital programs.

A sustainable waterways sector plays a vital role in supporting Crop Extension by ensuring effective water management across agricultural lands, reducing flood risks, improving agriculture production and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The Ministry has allocated a $21.8 million budget to support waterways projects.

The Land, Resources and Planning Division plays an essential role in sustainable land use and agricultural planning by offering expert guidance, shaping policy, and leveraging data. A $10 million budget has been allocated for the division to build a prosperous and climate-resilient sector for Fiji.

Hon. Bainivalu further encouraged all stakeholders in the agricultural sector to view the new budget as a transformative commitment to supporting their growth, addressing challenges and unlocking a prosperous future through the sustainable use of national resources.

ENDS

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