FIJI Rice Private Ltd is expected to double its production by 2970 tonnes in the next six years with the new mill opening in Ba.
Fiji Rice board chairperson Raj Sharma said the $1million investment in the Dreketi and Ba mills were expected to further boost the sector.
“We will also pick up discussion with the Indian government for support for product research and through International Rice Research Institute,” Mr Sharma said.
He said their goal would only be achieved if farmers increased productivity.
“We are in the process of signing MOU with TLTB (iTaukei Land Trust Board) within this month, we have identified landowning units that wish to go in rice farming, China Rice Program is also part of the program to reach our farmers.”
He said they were not only looking at increasing production, but they were also looking at increasing sales through effective marketing strategies.
“More representation and consistent availability and brand awareness are needed as well as penetrating tourism markets.”
Mr Sharma said they would work to get ISO compliant, while it had been hazard analysis and critical control point certified (HACCP).
