Fiji’s agriculture sector has recorded $1.5 million in damage following Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, with the Government rolling out a $5 million response package to assist farmers and protect food security.
Minister for Agriculture, Tomasi Tunabuna says over 66.7 percent of the losses are in crops, with cassava, papaya, banana, and plantain badly affected stressing that a total of 18,769 farming households have been impacted.
Tunabuna assures farmers in Kadavu, Ba, Ra, Nadroga, Navosa and Naitasiri that they have been heard and will be assisted, adding that a targeted rehabilitation plan will be launched, focusing on these hardest-hit areas, particularly where our export commodities have been compromised.
Insert:Tunabuna on forms for assistance 16th April
Tunabuna stresses the appilications will be verification adding after which the Government will provide seedlings, planting materials and technical support.
Farmers can access the Expression of Interest forms from the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways, and Sugar Industry facebook page.
He adds that Fiji is also facing rising production costs due to the global fuel crisis, which is affecting fertiliser, ploughing and transport adding rising freight and transportation costs are among the key concerns being monitored, as they continue to drive up food prices for consumers.
While no specific freight subsidy has been confirmed yet, Tunabuna says the Government is assessing possible assistance, including transport and electricity-related costs, as part of the next phase of the response.
The current focus is on urgent priorities, particularly ensuring an adequate supply of vegetable planting materials during the peak planting season.
He says broader measures to address rising operational costs, including fuel-related expenses, will be considered under the second phase of the support package.
As part of this, the Ministry has launched the first phase of the Scaling Up Home Gardening Initiative, encouraging Fijians to grow what they eat to combat rising food prices as the initiative will prioritise vulnerable groups, including single mothers, the elderly, and low-income families, with a two-week application period now open.
Tunabuna further explains that the programme is being implemented through a whole-of-government approach in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection to ensure both food availability and nutrition.
He urges people to take part in backyard gardening, saying every effort made at the household level contributes to national resilience and helps reduce reliance on expensive imported food.
Tunabuna emphasises that while the challenges posed by climate change and global instability are significant, they also present an opportunity for Fiji to build a more self-sufficient and resilient future.
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