Ministry of Agriculture strengthening its seed systems

The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with other development partners is working hard in strengthening its seed systems for resilience, livelihoods, food and nutritional security in the Pacific. “The basic rationale is that in emergency situations affected farming and displaced households who have lost their seed and capacity for food production will be supplied good quality seed of appropriate varieties so they can resume and increase agriculture production thereby reducing or eliminating dependence on food aid following the next level.”

This was highlighted by the Minister for Agriculture Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Inia Seruiratu during the opening of the Pacific Seed Forum in Novetal Resort, Nadi earlier this week.

Mr Seruiratu said Fiji’s effort towards seed development was strengthened after Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016. “The Government of India assisted us on this initiative where our research stations around the country were tasked to strengthen seed-systems related responses in preparation for and effective and sustainable response to food and agricultural emergencies,” he Seruiratu.

Mr Seruiratu added that another initiative the Ministry is working on is through its collaboration with the British American Tobacco.

The Ministry of Agriculture will be using their “state-of-the-art” research station to raise vegetable seedlings during the tobacco off-season. “This forum is a timely opportunity for sharing information across the Pacific region and to develop regional solutions to the issues that we face,” the Minister said.

“One such issue is climate change; the effects of climate change are visible around the world, with disastrous effects on agriculture and food security.”

Mr Seruiratu said in the Pacific, the risk of cyclones, storm surges and floods and natural disasters have increased, and the potential impacts of climate change and sea level rise is expected to have even more adverse effects on agriculture in the future. “We need to take responsibility and prepare better for the future so that come the next disaster we are more prepared. We have a responsibility, let’s look after the environment and then the environment will provide for us,” the Minister said.

“Seeds are the very basis for a healthy agriculture sector and sustained food security.”

Mr Seruiratu said in the Pacific, the risk of cyclones, storm surges and floods and natural disasters is expected to have even more adverse effects on agriculture in the future