Founder of Vanua Chocolate Arif Khan says cocoa has strong potential to support agricultural diversification in Fiji, but the sector is not receiving the investment it needs.
Speaking during the Examining the 2026-2027 National Budget: Implications for Fiji's Economic Hub session organised by Dialogue Fiji in Nadi, Khan said his company works with farmers in rural areas and pays them up to $3,000 per tonne of cocoa.
@fijivillage.com Founder of Vanua Chocolate Arif Khan says cocoa has strong potential to support agricultural diversification in Fiji, but the sector is not receiving the investment it needs. Speaking during the Examining the 2026-2027 National Budget: Implications for Fiji's Economic Hub session organised by Dialogue Fiji in Nadi, Khan said his company works with farmers in rural areas and pays them up to $3,000 per tonne of cocoa. He says the government should consider cocoa as part of its agricultural diversification strategy.
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He says the government should consider cocoa as part of its agricultural diversification strategy.
Khan also questioned what support is available to stimulate micro, small and medium enterprises, saying loans provided during the COVID-19 were easier to access because the requirements were less stringent.
He says private banks are often reluctant to lend to agricultural businesses.
Insert: Khan on borrowing
Khan says accessing loans remains difficult for businesses on the ground and targeted intervention could help stimulate economic activity.
He further says that consumer confidence and spending remain low, making it harder for businesses to grow.
Responding to Khan, Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel says the 2026-2027 National Budget includes tax incentives for those borrowing funds and for financial institutions providing loans.
Immanuel agrees that cocoa is one of the crops that should be grown more extensively, adding that some overseas investors are already aware of its potential in Fiji.
