Rice farmers in the Northern Division will now have a better chance of financially securing their future following the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Rewa Rice Limited Complex in Dreketi earlier today.
Advisory Councillor for Lekutu and rice farmer, Mohammed Faruk says this will benefit the farmers greatly as the mill will be able process larger amounts of rice.
Faruk says the current mill can only take five tonnes a load however the new mill will be able to take double the amount.
He also urged farmers in the area to get into rice farming as this will also help Fiji’s economy.
Faruk says Fiji is currently buying rice from overseas countries.
Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture, Inia Seruiratu says rice industry is important as it is not only a source of income for farmers but also as a food source for all Fijians.
Seruiratu says estimations show that Fiji imports around $40 million worth of rice annually.
He says this is equivalent to around 50,000 tonnes of rice.
Seruiratu says Government is committed to revitalize the local rice industry with the objective of reducing rice imports by $35 million by 2020.
The construction of the $500,000 worth new rice complex will begin next Monday
