Fiji Rice Records Highest Production

FROM JANUARY TO MAY 2022, FIJI RICE PRODUCED 1395 TONNES, SAYS BOARD CHAIRMAN RAJ SHARMA

Fiji Rice has produced the highest tonnes of rice this year, says board chairman, Raj Sharma.

From January to May 2022, Fiji Rice produced 1395 tonnes.

Their target is to produce 1500 tons of rice this year.

Mr Sharma said it was all through the support from the Ministry of Agriculture led by the minister, Mahendra Reddy.

Mr Sharma said for this year there had been a bumper production of rice that had come around throughout the country which was one of the highest records.

He said in 2020, 1322 tons were produced because Fiji Rice had given $150,000 following Tropical Cyclone Yasa in the Northern Division for the farmers to plant rice which created a momentum where the interest for the farmers grew.

Next year’s target is to produce 2000 tons of rice.

There are 398 Labasa farmers supplying rice and 100 registered rice farmers in the Western Division who have shown interest to supply rice too.

“Government continues to subsidise the price of this paddy. The first grade is farmers get $800 per ton, second grade on the moisture content they get $750 per ton and the third is about $700,” said Mr Sharma.

“So this is a short term crop in 120 days you get your money.

“So in one acre minimum a farmer will produce one tonne. Normally farmers produce about five acres so that means five tons, five tons equates to $4,000. Eliminate the cost say $2,000 and in 120 days they get a net income of $2,000.

Upgrading of Mill

Mr Sharma said Fiji Rice was exploring further to upgrade the mill to maintain the quality.

“We have a bit of a quality issue because the paddies were not fully dried up by the farmers. As soon as they harvest they bring it to the mill,” he said.

“We are looking at that and we encourage them to fully dry and this is something that we will also speak to the Ministry of Agriculture about whether drying implements or dryers could be provided to them on a subsidized basis.”

Fiji Rice Limited general manager, Ashrit Pratap said the mill operated until midnight, seven days a week.

“The main upgrade includes upgrading of the third silo in Dreketi, and main mill roof and the total investment until August totals to about $200,000,” said Mr Pratap.

He said there was also interest shown from various youth rice farmers who had supplied five tons of rice this year.

Going Solar

Mr Sharma said Fiji Rice had engaged with a few local and overseas partners to look into implying renewable energy concepts.

“Fiji Rice is looking at their five year strategic plan, how we can take these things forward on the development and this also includes climate change impact,” he added.

“So we are talking to a few of the local and overseas development partners that would help us in the renewable energy concepts of Fiji Rice whether it can be operated by solar.

“Currently we are supplied with power by EFL (Energy Fiji Limited) so we are looking at a renewable energy concept as to how we can do that.”

Fiji Rice was also looking at the President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, as the ambassador for growing rice.