A series of agricultural workshops held across Nadroga last week wrapped up in Lawai Village, with a strong message from Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, Dr. Andrew Tukana: agriculture must be market-driven to thrive.

The sessions, attended by growers and exporters, served as key preparation for the upcoming Mini Trade Forum in June 2025.

Dr. Tukana stressed the vital role of agriculture in boosting Fiji’s economy, noting the non-sugarcane sector alone contributed over FJD 759 million to the country’s GDP in 2023.

He urged participants to align their production with market demands and emphasized ecological practices in the face of climate change and rural-urban migration. The workshops also provided a platform for collaboration among farmers, exporters, and regulatory bodies.

One participant, Vandhna Shiwangni from Vinesh Exporters, shared how the workshop encouraged her business to grow and highlighted the need for infrastructure support like cooling equipment and packing facilities.

The training series focused on enhancing food production knowledge, supporting market readiness, and fostering innovation across Fiji’s agricultural sector.