The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, in collaboration with the Technical Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Fiji, hosted a field day on High Value Vegetable Production Techniques in Sigatoka today, bringing together local farmers, agricultural experts, and ministry staff to promote sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.

In his official address, the Principal Agriculture Officer Western, Mr. Solomoni Naisau, highlighted the Ministry’s new partnership with the Taiwan Technical Mission under the Resilient Cultivation Extension Project (2025–2029).

This five-year flagship project aims to enhance Fiji’s capacity to cope with extreme weather and improve food security. The key components of the project include:

·        Introducing 12 climate-resilient varieties of fruits and vegetables, including guava, mango, cabbage, tomato, capsicum, cucumber, eggplant, and lettuce.

·        Establishing two primary demonstration centers in Nausori and Sigatoka and six regional demonstration sites to promote resilient cultivation models.

·        Developing low-cost smart agriculture tools such as automated irrigation controllers, compost monitoring sensors, and micro weather stations tailored for smallholder farmers.

·        Providing over 30 technical training sessions and supporting 100 core farmers across 23 hectares of farmland.

“Through this project, we will ensure a stable supply of high quality planting materials, extensive training to enhance farmer’s skills and adoption of resilient farming practices through demonstration of adaptable technologies and resilient cultivation models that are suitable for smallholder replication,” he said.

Mr Naisau said the Technical Mission of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Fiji, in partnership with Fiji’s Agricultural Research Institute, has established a demonstration site comparing tissue-cultured banana seedlings from Taiwan with traditional sucker-propagated varieties, showcasing advantages in productivity and disease resistance.

“This collaboration aims to build a resilient, sustainable, and self-reliant fruit and vegetable production system that contributes meaningfully to national food security and climate adaptation efforts,” Mr. Naisau stated.

“By empowering our farmers with smart tools and adaptive technologies, we are taking a significant step forward.”

He further emphasized the alignment of the project with the Ministry’s Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), which envisions a resilient, competitive, and inclusive agricultural sector. This plan supports Fiji’s broader development goals, particularly in enhancing food and nutrition security and promoting sustainable agriculture beyond sugar production.

Mr. Naisau also mentioned the ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Sugar and other stakeholders to modernize the agriculture sector through diversification, digital innovation, and climate resilience.

A major focus includes climate-smart agriculture practices such as nature-based seawalls, improved drainage systems, and efficient irrigation to address the growing challenges posed by climate change.

“We are committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in fruit and vegetable cultivation. Strengthening our bilateral partnerships and empowering our farmers will drive agricultural transformation in Fiji and ensure food security for future generations,” he said.

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