Most effective solution to price-increase crisis rests with farming communities – PM

“Fiji’s most effective long-term solution to the price-increase crisis rests with farming communities.”

This was the message by the Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama to the farmers and residents of Baulevu, Koroqaqa and Waidra during the commissioning of the new two-lane Bailey bridge in Waidra.

Bainimarama says local food isn’t only healthier but is more secure and can’t be cut off by wars in foreign countries or delayed by disrupted supply chains beyond our borders.

He says this is why they are helping farmers to boost local crop production by providing seeds, equipment, advisory services, and other support.

Bainimarama adds Baulevu, Koroqaqa and Waidra together represent Fiji’s second salad bowl and now their agricultural produce such as ginger, vegetables, root crops, and poultry, can travel reliably on heavy trucks to markets in Nausori, to exporters, and municipal markets.

The Prime Minister says with some nations now at war, some of the world’s poorest countries are facing a humanitarian disaster as tens of millions of people are pushed to the edge of famine and even in developed countries, rising food prices have been described as apocalyptic.

He says we have felt these prices rise in Fiji and his government has taken drastic action by raising the minimum wage and lowering VAT to zero on 21 essential food items.