China is looking at ways to assist Fiji in its rice revitalization program.

A high level delegation from China was in the country for the past two weeks scrutinizing Fiji’s rice industry.

Senior Agriculture Officer Rice – Jone Matawalu says a major problem faced by rice farmers in the north is the lack of laborers and proper machinery.

Matawalu says the delegation has indicated that they will look into bringing appropriate machinery to help farmers overcome this problem.

Due to high production costs local rice is sold at a higher price than the imported rice.