Fiji's ambassador to China said cassava planting is the way to go in terms of producing ethanol for Fiji, adding this is an economic saviour for the indigenous people.
Sir James Ah Koy, who brought a delegation from China, said the group is here to look at constructing a plant for ethanol production from cassava and low-cost housing that could cost $31,000 and take 5 men to build in three days.
Concentrating on cassava farming, Ah Koy said it is ideal for the Fijians adding unlike sugar, there will be no land problems.
Farmers would need to produce 30,000 tonnes of cassava a month to submit to the proposed plant for ethanol production.
Talks are still underway between the Chinese delegation, the interim government and the relevant ministries on constructing an ethanol plant which could cost around $40 million.
Ethanol produced would be for local consumption.
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Cassava Planting Way to Go