Nobody has plantations of ivi, mangoes and breadfruit, we are just picking off whatever grows - AG

Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says nobody in Fiji has plantations of things like ivi, mangoes and breadfruit and we are just picking off whatever grows.

This is after a man asked Sayed-Khaiyum during the budget consultation in Nausori if they are looking at local products to replace things bought from overseas such as using cassava flour instead of wheat.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the point about cassava flour is right however if people use cassava flour to make bread, nobody would eat that bread because it will be really hard.

He says the Ministry of Agriculture is carrying out testing and it was announced that if we take the normal flour and mix about 30% of it with cassava flour, then they will get the same texture to make bread.

The Attorney General says we cannot just say that we will make bread or roti from cassava flour.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the Reserve Bank of Fiji is also encouraging chefs in Fiji to used local food in the hotels.