Provinces of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri take part in Traditional Foods Exhibition at Veikau Eco Lodge

The Coalition Government, with development partners and donor organizations will support projects to improve post-harvest handling of crops, vegetables and fruits, and support our local communities and citizens to increase local food production.

That’s the comment of Acting Health Minister, Filimoni Vosarogo at the Traditional Foods Exhibition at Veikau Eco Lodge, Nawaqabena Village, Naitasiri where the three provinces of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri took part in the exhibition today.

Vosarogo says this is only the beginning of other health initiatives and programs yet to happen.

He says through the Global Community Food and Health Project in the three provinces, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services has been providing the Project Advisory Committee with independent review, guidance and recommendations beginning in August 2022 until the project ends in July 2026.

The Acting Health Minister says the Ministry remains committed to continuing collaboration with the three provinces of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri with well-defined and evaluated health interventions to improve and sustain traditional food systems and household food and nutrition security, enhance learning, collaboration and strengthen capacity across government, NGOs and our local communities.

He says it is important that we link nutrition with traditional food systems in agriculture, health, the environment, and culture.

Vosarogo says for agriculture, production yields, sustainable intensification and losses are just as important as health issues of non-communicable diseases, food safety, obesity, and micronutrient malnutrition.

He says just as biodiversity loss, soil and water contamination and degradation are important considerations for the environment, one must not forget our cultural traditions and practices.

Vosarogo says for traditional food systems, there are always dilemmas and trade offs such as increasing risks of NCDs, deforestation, and ensuring global carbon balances.

However, he says all food systems are sustainable, as natural repositories of plant biodiversity, with livestock a synergistic part of this sustainability to ensure the supply of rich sources of nutrients, animal ethics and fibrous pasture species.

Vosarogo says in Fiji, we need to recognize the nutritional, economic, social, environmental and cultural contribution that our three provinces of Rewa, Tailevu and Naitasiri are addressing through this Traditional Food Exhibition; and their importance in addressing food and nutrition security and food quality, and giving priority to the nutritional and health needs of local communities.

Vosarogo also says the Coalition Government is not journeying this trip alone and the government ministries have also networked with development partners and friends in the food and nutrition space to enhance their programs and their outcome.

He says being aware of the needs of the community, FRIEND have been conducting social empowerment, economic and health activities.

Vosarogo says FRIEND has been partnering with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in Nadi, Lautoka and Ba Subdivisions to conduct community awareness on healthy meal choices, home gardens and consumption of locally grown vegetables, herbs, fruits and lower the use of imported foods.

He says they have been advocating for the use of gluten free products like our traditional root crops - Kumala, Tavioka and Dalo flour, and having herbal tea options.

FRIEND has training programs with single mums on healthy meal options and promotion of recipes using local fruits, vegetables and snacks.