As Fiji is now in discussion to develop the medicinal cannabis market and consultations are underway, there is also a potential to develop a nutraceutical industry that looks at alternative medicine.
This has been highlighted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica who says they are looking at developing a nutraceutical industry in Fiji as the Pacific is rich in potential medicine such as botebotekoro and other medicines.
Kamikamica says kava is also a potential nutraceutical product.
He says we are now in a position because of science and technology to commercialise it.
The Minister says potentially in the next five or ten years, Fiji could have an industry that is high yielding and address some of the challenges in the global economy with the need for natural medicine.
Kamikamica further says there are investors in the medicinal cannabis industry ready to come and start the market.
He says sugar cane price is about $80 to $100 per tonne but medicinal cannabis is about US$700 per tonne.
He says the economics look positive but Fiji is building a new industry and has to start slow,and make sure all the fundamentals are done properly.
