FOOD security should be treated as an essential part of Fiji’s national security, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said.
Mr Rabuka said global disruptions, climate events, conflicts and supply chain pressures could quickly affect the availability and price of food.
He said Fiji could not produce everything it consumed but should strengthen domestic production wherever it could do so competitively.
“Food security is an essential part of national security,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said reducing avoidable food imports would keep more money within Fiji while creating markets for farmers and supporting rural businesses.
“Reducing avoidable food imports keeps more money within Fiji. It creates markets for farmers, supports rural businesses, and strengthens our resilience,” he said.
He said agricultural production also needed to supply competitive products to regional and international markets.
“Our goal must be to produce more food, better quality products, and greater economic value,” he said.
Mr Rabuka said locally produced nutritious food could help address Fiji’s serious burden of non-communicable diseases.
“Greater availability and affordability of locally produced fruits, vegetables, root crops and other nutritious foods could support healthier diets while creating stronger markets for farmers,” he said.
“A healthier population is also a more productive population.”
He said agriculture therefore contributed not only to food security and economic growth but also to the quality of life and productivity of Fiji’s workforce.
Mr Rabuka said a stronger domestic agricultural sector would improve Fiji’s resilience while creating opportunities for farmers and businesses.
