Business Assistance Fiji in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization and is supported by the European Union’s STORAS program today marked a significant milestone for the Pacific region with the launch of Fiji's first Pacific Agri-Innovation Workshop 2024.
This groundbreaking initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs from Fiji, Samoa and the Solomon Islands.
BAF was established in 2021 to support micro, small, and medium enterprises in Fiji, emphasizing the empowerment for women, youth, indigenous businesses, and individuals with disabilities.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Trade, Cooperative, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications Shaheen Ali says the program aims to identify and nurture innovative agri-businesses, offering entrepreneurs a platform to pitch their ideas and drive innovation in the agri-food sector.
Ali says it is not just investing in ideas for farmers but an investment in the future.
He says the Pacific Agro-Innovate Competition is vital platform for identifying and nurturing agri-businesses with high growth potential and to stimulate innovation, create job opportunities, and strengthen the agri-food sector in Fiji.
In an interview with fijivillage News, an entrepreneur, Beatrice Nast shared her journey as the founder of Fiji's first goat milk pioneering company.
Nast is originally from Germany and now residing in Nadi.
Her business offers handmade and locally sourced goat milk products including scented and unscented soap, foot balm, and body lotion.
She says her motive is not to kill goats but to make soap out of it.
Nast says after starting her research in 2018, her products hit the market a year ago.
She says she ensures sustainability with packaging that has non carbon footprint and supports female farmers by purchasing milk from them.
Another entrepreneur from Nausori, Avishay Singh has encouraged youths not be afraid to take steps and stand for your dreams.
The 27-year-old operates Shahils Party Ice and Frozen Supplies which offers products like frozen dalo, cassava, grated cassava, taro fries and pure honey.
Avishay won a category award in agriculture in 2020 and plans to expand his business to export, contributing significantly to local economies. Both entrepreneurs are among the 11 selected participants in the Pacific Agro-Innovate Competition where they will present their innovative ideas during a two-day program aimed at fostering growth and sustainability in the agri-business sector.
Meanwhile, with 45 applications received, 11 finalists have been selected to showcase their ideas tomorrow and the top three winners will advance to the SEEDS Forum in Nellie on the 6th of next month.
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