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Fiji and Taiwan launch $5.4M project to boost resilient agriculture and crop production

The Taiwan Technical Mission, in collaboration with Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture, has initiated the Resilient Cultivation Extension Project in Fiji. This initiative, valued at $US5.4 million over five years, aims to enhance the resilience of Fiji's agricultural sector. It follows the prior "Guava and Dragon Fruit Production, Marketing, Extension and Capacity Building Project" between Fiji and Taiwan.

Central to this project is the establishment of two agricultural resilience centers in Fiji, including a new demonstration farm in Nausori and the existing Sigatoka demonstration farm. These sites will showcase resilient cultivation practices for vegetables such as cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum, and fruit trees including guavas, mangoes, and bananas, among others.

Key components of the project involve resource allocation for resilient crop varieties, the introduction of advanced cultivation techniques, and the development of demonstration sites to exhibit these practices. Dr. Shalendra Prasad from the Ministry of Agriculture highlighted the project's focus on mitigating climate change impacts and enhancing production technologies to support local farmers in achieving year-round vegetable production. The project also aims to reduce vegetable imports that currently support the hotel and supermarket sectors in Fiji.

Jerry Liao, leader of the International Cooperation and Development Fund team, mentioned that the majority of the resilient varieties for the project would be sourced from Taiwan. He also noted the challenges posed by climate change, such as heavy rainfall in Fiji, which has adversely affected crop yields. The project, with a budget of $US5.4 million, is funded by contributions from both Taiwan and Fiji and is scheduled to run until December 2029.

Source: The Fiji Times

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