FIJI Rice has transformed its operations from a three-day-a-week mill producing about 400 tonnes to a seven-day operation, with national production now reaching about 10,000 tonnes.
Its outgoing chairman Raj Sharma said the company was facing significant operational and financial challenges when he took over.
“When I became chairman, Fiji Rice was only operating three days a week, production around 400 tonnes,” he said.
Mr Sharma said farmers were doing much of the work by hand because the company had no machinery.
“The company also lacked a major office, warehouse and boardroom, while policies and marketing systems were also not in place.”
He said stocks would regularly run out, while the company was also carrying significant debt and the baggage of previous directors.
“We were struggling, and farmers were as well.”
The company has since established a warehouse and proper boardroom, extended its mill in Dreketi, and established a new mill in Ba.
He said the highest mill production had reached 1685 tonnes, while national production now stood at about 10,000 tonnes.
Operations had also expanded from three days a week to seven days, running until midnight.
The company has introduced harvesters, portable mills, and harvesting services to reduce the physical burden on farmers.
“No more back-breaking work alone,” he said.
He said Fiji Rice now works with about 800 farmers.
He said the changes were aimed at strengthening local rice production and improving the commercial opportunities available to farmers.
