BIOTECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE BEEF, DAIRY INDUSTRY: REDDY

Biotechnology, the first of its kind in Fiji, will improve Fiji’s beef and dairy industry, says Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment, Mahendra Reddy.

While officiating at the Sigatoka Research Station in Nacocolevu he highlighted Embryo Transfer as the solution to introducing new blood lines into the farmers herd to reduce in-breeding and improve performances and productivity. The minister said the Beef and Dairy Industry existed in Fiji over a century ago, with the main purpose of food security. “These two industries have slowly evolved over the years from a few cows at subsistence level to a more commercially-oriented industry with major players such as farmers, processors, retailers, importers and consumers,” Mr Reddy said.

“However, the overall performances of our Beef and Dairy Industry over the years have been stagnant, which is due mainly to the traditional breeds of animals.

“And there are diseases like Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis.”

Other factors include, knowledge and capacity to manage livestock diseases, the sectors vulnerability to natural disasters, economic and political shocks, farming scale, poor quality and unpredictable production.

“After a long time, Fiji is still a net importer of beef and dairy products from Australia and New Zealand to supplement our taste and preference for these commodities,” Mr Reddy said.

“For this reason retail prices are closely linked to import prices. “Since 2006, the current Government has noted with much interest Fiji’s high import bill in beef and dairy products and began putting in place initiatives to reform the industry with the aim of reducing imports by increasing local production.

“These reforms include; the sale of Rewa Cooperative Dairy Company Limited and the formation Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL).

“We have the importation of cattle from New Zealand to rehabilitate the beef and dairy sectors to improve production, the engagement of consultants to develop strategies that will improve the overall livestock sector,” he added. Minister Reddy said the ministry had opted for Embryo Transfer which was a safer method of improving farmer’s herds rather than the normal practice of importation of cattle.

The ministry recognises this Bio technology programme – Embryo Transfer as the solution to introducing new blood lines into the farmers herd to reduce in-breeding, and improve performances and productivity.

The process of including new breeds into the cattle industry in Fiji have been long overdue thus the poor performances of these animals in terms of genetics. Mr Reddy concluded that he believed that the new era was not only for beef and dairy, but for Fiji’s livestock industry.

The event yesterday was a celebration of success, raised awareness, sharing information on the changing landscape for livestock and identifying further opportunities available for Fiji’s cattle industry.

Mereleki Nai

Edited by Percy Kean