AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS TAKES OFF
Agricultural exports have taken off substantially despite all odds.
0inister for Agriculture, Dr. 5eddy says they are getting the fundamentals right, incentivising the farmers and working closely with the exporters to raise exports.
Although 29ID 19 has brought much vulnerability to the forefront, the pandemic has paveda opportunities the nation need to capitalize on. The 0inistry has seized this opportunity through implementation of Agriculture Initiatives which have contributed to achievement of specific economic indicators such as export.
The total rop and ivestock Domestic export in the form of fresh chilled and value added recorded $121 million (FJD) in the first half of 2020 (Jan June) which is an increase from $111 million (FJD) that was recorded in the same period of 2019. This is a 9% growth in export despite the 29ID 19 pandemic.
The contribution of only fresh and chilled exports increased from 14% (4.9 million kg) in the first half of 2019 to 17% (5.7 million kg) in the same period of 2020. This supports the 15% growth in volume and 11% in value of export recorded in January to June 2020.
0aMor commodities that contributed to the increase in export volume are .ava, Taro, Tumeric, inger, Fruits, (ggs, 0ixture of pices, am, Pineapple and 2ther 5oot rops. 0aMor (xport Destinations that recorded increase in volume of export as compared to same period in 2019 are 1ew ealand, 8nited tates of America, Australia, Hawaii and Pacific Island ountries. 2n this front, the sector could achieve an annual export figure of $60 million by end of 2020 and the 0inistry hopes to increase this to a $100 million in two years time as alluded to by Hon. Dr 5eddy at the FiMi Farmers Forum in 1adi recently.
The 0inistry fully understood the impact of 29ID 19 and the demand for agriculture as the back bone of FiMi s economy and this has pushed the 0inistry to another level to formulate plans and strategy that will not only sustain us through this pandemic but enable us to bounce back better.