AGRICULTURE supports more than 60 percent of Fiji’s rural population.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka revealed this during the Fiji Farmers Economic Summit 2025 saying the sector contributed approximately 15 per cent to Fiji’s national gross domestic product (GDP).
He said agriculture played a vital role in the local economy, food security, and rural development.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our country and a foundational pillar of Fiji’s economy, society, and environment,” Mr Rabuka said.
“But to thrive in this era of climate uncertainty, global market shifts, and rising input costs, our farmers need more than just seeds and fertilizers, they need a support system that recognises the challenges they face on a daily basis.”
Mr Rabuka said empowering both subsistence and commercial farmers was essential to sustaining national food security and achieving broader development goals.
He said events like the summit made the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) actionable on the ground.
“This summit aligns with the broader vision of the Fiji National Development Plan (NDP), which seeks to build a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy.”
The Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and the Ministry of Sugar, is implementing strategies to modernise the sector.
Key focus areas include crop and livestock diversification, improved extension services, digital agriculture, and building climate resilience.
Mr Rabuka said the goal was to transform agriculture from a largely subsistence-based system to a dynamic commercial industry that supported families, strengthened rural economies, and enhanced environmental sustainability.
“Let this summit not just be about increasing production, but about securing the future of farming families, rural communities, and our entire nation through resilience, innovation, and sustainability.”
