Both Government and international agencies are underrating Fiji’s agricultural sector despite its contribution to food security, exports and the wider economy.
Senior economist Dr Mahendra Reddy expressed his disappointment yesterday, saying not enough emphasis was being placed on agriculture despite its potential and performance over the years.
“Unfortunately, agriculture’s contribution has been underrated,” Dr Reddy said.
He said he was disappointed by the emphasis placed on tourism during a World Bank presentation, arguing that agriculture’s role in the economy had not been properly recognised.
Dr Reddy said agriculture had continued to play a major role in sustaining the country, including feeding the population and contributing to exports.
He said the contribution of agriculture was often not fully reflected.
“Unfortunately, people are not putting into perspective the role agriculture has played in sustaining and driving the economy,” Dr Reddy said.
Because a large part of the production is from the informal sector, it is not captured in the output.”
He said the COVID-19 pandemic had shown the importance of agriculture to Fiji’s economic survival.
“Look at COVID. Within two years, which sector was exporting?
“We were feeding the entire nation, we were securing the households with respect to food, and over and over, we were exporting, despite the increase in freight rates.”
Dr Reddy said agriculture was the only source of income and foreign currency for the country at that particular period.
“Unfortunately, all the stats that are coming out, it’s understating the real contribution of agriculture.”
He said Fiji needed to refocus on its primary sectors.
