As part of ongoing efforts to boost rural agriculture and economic empowerment, 11 individuals and three women’s groups from Naitasiri, Tailevu, and Ba have received cassava flour processing machines under the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ Commercial Agriculture Development Program.

The initiative, which spans the 2023/2024 to 2025/2026 fiscal years, aims to enhance value-added agricultural production and promote sustainable livelihoods in Fiji’s rural communities.

In the 2024-2025 budget, the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways was allocated $101.2 million, with $100,000 set aside to assist women’s groups and individuals in acquiring cassava flour processing machines.

The program aligns with global and national development frameworks, including:

• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, and 12
• Fiji’s National Development Plan
• 10-Year Agriculture Sector Policy (2025-2035)
• 5-Year Youth in Agriculture Policy (2022-2027)
• Gender in Agriculture Policy (2022-2027)

The initiative is expected to increase food security, enhance income-generating opportunities, and encourage value-added agricultural enterprises across rural Fiji.