DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, MSME and Communications Manoa Kamikamica this week officiated the opening of Fiji’s fourth Grow+ Remote Greenhouse in partnership with the Bia-i-Cake Women’s Cooperative in Nagigi village in Savusavu.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in Fiji’s agricultural development, women empowerment and community resilience.
The $42,000 greenhouse, equipped with automated irrigation systems and the capacity to produce 50,000 vegetable seedlings annually, will strengthen food security, promote biodiversity conservation and support income generation for rural communities.
Launched in 2022, BAT Fiji’s Grow+ programme has distributed over half a million vegetable seedlings in 2023 and aimed for one million annually by 2024, reaching remote areas like Taveuni, Moala, and now Nagigi.
Mr Kamikamica commended BAT Fiji’s commitment to sustainability and rural livelihoods, emphasising the vital role of public-private partnerships in fostering inclusive growth.
The Bia-i-Cake Women’s Cooperative, established in 2020, exemplifies resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
Their plans to expand into commercial farming, aquaculture, and value-added products aim to serve both local and export markets, aligning with the Government’s Look North Policy to unlock the potential of rural communities.
Coinciding with the greenhouse launch, the Cooperative unveiled their five-year Strategic Plan (2024–2029) and new logo, symbolising their vision for a sustainable future.
“Today, we celebrate innovation, collaboration, and the enduring spirit of solesolevaki,” Mr Kamikamica said.
“Vinaka vakalevu to BAT Fiji and the Bia-i-Cake Women’s Cooperative for your dedication to driving economic empowerment and sustainable development in Fiji.”
NOTE: This article was first published in the print edition of the Fiji Times dated January 11, 2025.
