MORE than 10,000 contracted farmers from Sigatoka to Rakiraki, located on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, are poised to gain new export opportunities in the Northern Pacific after the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) signed a memorandum of understanding with New Valley Processors (Fiji) Limited (NVPL).
The partnership will connect local farmers to export markets through PIDF’s Food and Nutrition Security initiative, which aims to strengthen food security, expand production and improve access to fresh produce across Pacific communities.
“Fiji has rich and fertile land that can grow vegetables and crops that can be exported to the Northern Pacific, such as Naoero (Nauru), where we heavily depend on imported goods,” said Michael Aroi, Naoero’s High Commissioner to Fiji and chairperson of the PIDF.
“Through this partnership, families in Naoero would be able to consume fresh agricultural produce from Fiji, contributing towards the fight against NCD and growing a healthier society.”
Aroi was the chief guest at the MOU signing ceremony in Sabeto, Nadi.
The agreement is expected to encourage farmers to diversify production and improve the quality and consistency of crops and vegetables for local and export markets.
PIDF Secretary General Arpana Pratap said farmers had untapped potential but often lacked market access.
“This is the area that the PIDF will strengthen and will bridge the gap through this partnership with NVPL by engaging more with these farmers, visiting their farms, as well as sharing resources to support the programs focused on high-value crops that will be processed for export markets,” Pratap said.
PIDF will also identify and secure buyers in Northern Pacific markets and negotiate commercial agreements with importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers.
“We will identify and secure buyers in the Northern Pacific markets and negotiate commercial agreements with importers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers so our local farmers are able to make good economic benefits from exporting their produce,” she said.
The initiative is already coordinating exports of agricultural produce from Nadi to the Republic of Naoero through the Pacific Fresh Airlink project. It is expected to expand to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
The project supports the export of fresh agricultural produce from Fijian farmers to regional markets while improving access to fresh and nutritious food in Pacific communities.
It also supports farmers, particularly in the Tailevu and Ra provinces, by improving agricultural practices, post-harvest handling and supply chain coordination. The aim is to improve the quality, consistency and market readiness of their produce.
NVPL, a newly established agricultural processing and export company based in Sabeto, a rural valley located on Viti Levu Island, currently purchases bora, chillies, eggplants, cucumbers, tomatoes, cowpeas, and several high-value crops.
Chief Executive Officer Navitalai Tuivuniwai said the produce had the potential to meet demand in local and Northern Pacific markets.
“We see the economic benefits the local farmers will gain through this partnership, as they export their produce to the Northern Pacific market,” Tuivuniwai said.
NVPL has encouraged farmers to maintain consistent quality to ensure their produce meets export requirements and is suitable for consumption, he said.
“We have always relied on trust amongst our farmers to produce quality produce and they have been doing well in this area,” Tuivuniwai said.
“Through this partnership, we are excited to have PIDF on board in connecting our local farmers to the Northern Pacific market.”
The partnership is intended to provide farmers, including those in hard-to-reach places, with a consistent and sustainable market while contributing to food security, economic growth and sustainable agricultural development across Fiji and the Pacific.
