China an important development partner for the Fijian Agricultural Sector
The Ministry of Agriculture will continue the long-term bilateral relationship with the People’s Republic of China in the area of agriculture development.
The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Hon. Vatimi Rayalu received a courtesy call from the People’s Republic of China’s Chargé d’affaires and Political Counselor, Wang Xuguang at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Raiwaqa this week.
Mr. Wang Xuguang said the goal of the Chinese government is to maintain high consistency and stability for domestic and foreign policy, upholding world peace and development.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on the role of China in the sustainable development of the agriculture sector in Fiji and Hon. Rayalu expressed his deepest assurance to Mr. Xuguang that he intends on maintaining the FijiChina working relationship to the highest level possible.
The Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Vinesh Kumar acknowledged that the Ministry of Agriculture over the years has benefitted from aid from the Government of China for agricultural developments for food self-sufficiency in both crop and livestock and modernization of the sector.
Two major projects under current focus under China aid agriculture development are the rice planting for self-sufficiency in Vanua Levu and the Juncao technology demonstration center in Nadi.
The Juncao project was initiated in 2009 and has successfully conducted two phases with the third phase currently in place benefitting over 1,000 households, and training provided to 1,700 individuals while rice development is also in its third phase.
The Hon. Minister briefed the Chinese delegates on the recent three quad-bikes ($25,000 each) aid, which has been distributed to outer islands (Cicia and Moala) to improve service delivery and the third to Ba for Bilateral Quarantine Agreement (BQA) farmers and he thanked the Chinese government for their continued support.
During the courtesy call the two sides also exchanged views on possible ways to strengthen and support demands in the Chinese market for agricultural commodities from Fiji.
The Hon. Minister thanked the Chinese delegate for the aid toward the development of Fiji’s agriculture, the rice and Juncao technology experts, training and the bilateral relationship between Fiji and China and said it has always been based on cooperation and trust.
To further promote bilateral relations between the two countries, Mr. Xuguang has invited the Hon. Minister to attend the launching of the Juncao Development Regional Center in
Nadi, and the second China Pacific Island Countries Agriculture and Fisheries Ministerial Meeting in China to further discuss agriculture co-operations between the two countries which the Hon. Minister graciously accepted.