$100,000 ALLOCATED FOR SPICE PRODUCTION

A total of 27.4 acres of turmeric have been planted during this financial year with an allocation of $100,000 to expand turmeric production.

With an export figure of 2300 tonnes recorded last year, Minister for Agriculture Mahendra Reddy said the objective was to raise turmeric export earnings from $22.9 million last year.

Fiji’s main turmeric export destinations are the United States of America, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Most turmeric is exported to the USA market. “In Fiji, turmeric grows wildly, in the highlands of Tailevu, Navosa, Nadi and the Northern Division. So, all the turmeric at the moment that is being harvested and exported is wildly-grown turmeric,” Mr Reddy said.

“We now want to expand turmeric production but maintain the brand image that it is organically-grown turmeric, meaning we do not want to use any fertiliser or chemical.

He said there had been interest from farmers in Kadavu, Koro and the Central division to export turmeric alongside kava as well.

“We are taking advantage of the interest and we have got exporters who are operating from the Western Division and they are basically saying that we are not getting the full demand that we want from the export market,” he said.

Turmeric farmers are supported by

Government with planting materials, land preparation and organic agro inputs with focus on ensuring that they grow organic turmeric to maintain Fiji’s turmeric brand image.

At the moment exporters collect turmeric from farmers in the interior of Keiyasi, facilitated by Government.

Mr Reddy said Government welcomed the idea of exporters establishing processing centres closer to the farmers.

>FONUA TALEI