Fiji has managed to reduce its rice import bill by $11 million.

Minister for Agriculture, Inia Seruiratu says three years ago, Fiji recorded its rice import bill at $40 million.

“According to our figure we have reduced our rice importation by $11 million. That is a good sign. And I hope that 11 million is coming into your pockets and into your bank accounts.”

Seruiratu says the Northern Division is the centre of rice production in the country, with about 1,900 hectares of rice farm – producing about 5,800 tonnes of paddy annually.

He believes they have the potential to produce more.

Meanwhile, rice farmers in Dreketi have committed, that in the next year, the rice import bill will have reduced another $11 million.