News

Revitalization of rice industry underway

June 2, 2019 5:45 am

The Agriculture Ministry is undertaking various measure to revitalize the rice industry.

Minister Dr. Mahendra Reddy says efforts to improve efficient production through continued research for a self-sufficient and sustainable rice industry are underway.

Reddy adds the introduction of high yielding improved rice varieties in Fiji is also a priority in the pipeline.

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The Minister highlighted that China is also assisting Fiji through nine experts to work on the rice development project phase II in the Central and Northern Divisions.

This is aimed at improving production efficiency and to continue research and development in the rice sector.

Reddy says rice farming can be labor intensive, hence the Ministry continues to mechanize many of the husbandry practices.

He adds this includes providing access to various types of rice machines which are available to farmers on subsidized rates and the formation of rice clusters, where possible, to achieve economies of scale which ensure machine optimization.