The Agriculture Ministry in Fiji is moving forward with an initiative to convert rejected fruits and vegetables into processed products to reduce waste and improve farmer incomes.
Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna explained that much of the produce not accepted for export fails to meet standards related to size, shape, or appearance, but still maintains good quality. "Some requirements like size, colour, and look are for the market, but the quality is still good, so they can be turned into value-added products," he said.
The Ministry has indicated that support will be provided to assist in the transition toward processing these goods. The objective is to reduce postharvest losses, strengthen food security, and provide additional sources of income for rural communities.
In addition to this initiative, the Ministry is also working to revive other industries such as cocoa, coffee, and coconuts. These crops are included in a wider agricultural development plan that emphasizes biodiversity and sustainability, with tea production also under review as a potential area of growth.
Tunabuna stated that the Ministry is collaborating with exporters and development partners to align domestic production with international market demand. This approach, he noted, is intended to expand Fiji's access to global markets while diversifying agricultural output.
Source: FBC News