THE New Valley model presents a unique and innovative concept for rural Fijian farmers.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made this remark while officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony of the New Valley Processsors’ Processing and Cold Chain Facility in Naboutini, Sabeto in Nadi yesterday.
He said many of these farmers were surviving on subsistence livelihoods with almost no opportunity to engage in commercial or even semi-commercial farming.
“I am told that the company is ready to provide support at every step, ” Mr Rabuka said.
“From land preparation to agro-input and seedling support, and ultimately the procurement of produce at premium farm gate pricing.
“This is indeed a unique proposition, and I am sure it will make life easier and more profitable for these farmers — and certainly one that the Fijian Government is excited to support,” Mr Rabuka said.
He said the 10,400 farmers from 126 clusters, spanning Rakiraki to Sigatoka, were proof that a single company can create a ripple effect across a large section of our population.
“When we speak of rural farming in Fiji, we must give due recognition to the highland provinces of Ra, Naitasiri, and Nadroga-Navosa.
“These regions are home to some of our most resilient and hardworking farmers — men and women who rise before dawn, trek across steep ridges, and work lands passed down through generations.
“In these communities, farmers cultivate crops on terraced slopes and river valleys — and they grow some of the best root crops and vegetables that feed both local and urban markets.
“Yet for too long, these provinces have remained on the periphery of commercial agriculture due to poor access roads, lack of cold storage, and limited financial services.
“This is why New Valley’s reach into these highlands is both visionary and vital — it opens the door for these remote farming communities to participate meaningfully in the national economy.”
He said he was particularly drawn to the powerful meaning behind New Valley’s slogan — “Markets Beyond Mountains”
“It captures the very heart of what we are trying to achieve for our rural and hard-to-reach farmers.
“For too long, geographic isolation has stood between our farmers and the markets they deserve.
“But this slogan reflects a bold new vision — one where distance is no longer a barrier, and where even the most remote communities can connect to global opportunities.
“New Valley is not just bringing markets closer; it is bringing hope, empowerment, and a pathway to better livelihoods for our farmers.”
Note: This article was first published on the print version of the Fiji Times dated May 9, 2025
