Launch of smallholder Coffee Project for Navosa
AUS$25,000 (FJ$56,117) donation from the Indonesian Government, in partnership with the Fiji Government and local coffee producer Bula Coffee, has reignited interest in coffee cultivation in Navosa’s highlands. Once a profitable cash crop in numerous highland communities, coffee gradually receded from prominence following the introduction of alternative cash crops, leaving many plants to thrive in the wild and multiply.
However, local coffee received a lifeline when Luke Fryett recognised its potential during visits to rural villages, observing the abundance of wild coffee. This led to the establishment of his business, Bula Coffee.
With the intervention of the Office of the Prime Minister and the backing of the Indonesian Government, coffee is poised for a resurgence, marked by the launch of the project in Draiba Village, Navosa.
Officiating at the opening of the Coffee Smallholder Project workshop in Draiba Village this week, the Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Sakiusa Tubuna, highlighted the initiative as a collaborative effort that was poised to revolutionise agriculture, empower rural communities, and provide a sustainable alternative to illegal activities.
Expressing gratitude to the Indonesian Government for their generous contribution of US$25,000 (FJ$56,117), Asst. Minister Tubuna emphasised the Fiji Government’s commitment to a sustainable future, focusing on innovative solutions to rejuvenate production levels, particularly in the agriculture sector.
“I congratulate the organisers of this training workshop and the executives of Bula Coffee Fiji for their foresight and substantial investment,” he said.
“Your confidence that this endeavour will play a pivotal role in significantly boosting production in villages and communities is commendable.”
“The Smallholder Coffee Project, initially proposed by the Office of the Prime Minister, aims to equip approximately 10,000 residents from 41 villages in the Sigatoka region with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful coffee planting and processing,” he said.
Asst. Minister Tubuna also emphasised the project’s importance in offering legal alternatives to farmers, especially in regions where the cultivation of illegal substances has been widespread stating that the Smallholder Coffee Project aims to redirect efforts toward cultivating viable and legal crops for the market.
“The multifaceted benefits of the project include the possibility of planting shade trees like Breadfruit and Mangoes in the coffee plantations to provide shelter and additional yield.”
The Assistant Minister further urged participants to embrace the opportunity for upskilling and empowerment, encouraging them to disseminate the knowledge acquired during the training in their respective villages.
Indonesian Ambassador, Dupito D. Simamora and Bula Coffee founder Luke Fryett were also present at the launch.
The training workshop was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and Bula Coffee.