Floods damage farms
THE recent heavy downpour had caused significant damage to farms. This according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation and Education Viliame Gavoka.
Speaking at a workshop on Farm to Fork Initiative at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort last week, Mr Gavoka said many farms were inundated with floodwaters.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these challenging times,” he told participants at the workshop.
“I’m pleased today to see that we have farmers, fisher folks, middlemen, chefs, procurement officers all under one roof.
“That was the goal of this initiative.”
Mr Gavoka acknowledged the United Nations Food and Agriculture organization (FAO), and the government of Canada who have partnered with the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, to host the first of the three farm to folk workshops.
“And there will be two more down the line. Our goal in simplest terms, farm to folk reflects the various processes involved in feeding the population.
“From farming and fishing, food processing, distribution, consumption and even the management of food waste. It is a journey that touches every one of us every single day.”
Mr Gavoka said a 2018 study revealed that while hotels had increased the use of local fresh produce, there was still room for improvement.
He added that imported food items such as vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood and dairy were significant cost drivers for Fiji’s hotels accounting for $38.5million each year.
“It also tells us that we have the potential to cut $24m over import bills.”