The Ministry of Agriculture has transferred a rice mill, a rice winnower machine, and a paddy processing machine to Fiji Rice Ltd to assist the company in increasing production in the Western Division.
This machinery worth $400,000, was given by the Chinese government to the Ministry of Agriculture in 2021.
“Fiji rice is currently gaining momentum in the local market, and we hope to see it in the export market someday,” said Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu.
He said rice production had been increasing in the Western Division, with the sugarcane farmers also growing it during the off-season.
About 379 farmers are planting rice on 210 hectares of land and producing 684 tonnes of paddy.
“We have to ensure that farmers plant rice in the proper way and it gets to the mill for processing, and we also look forward to the expansion of Fiji Rice Ltd.”
Fiji Rice Ltd hopes more farmers from Viti Levu, particularly in the west, will plant rice that can be refined in Nailaga, Ba.
Last year rice farmers in Rakiraki, Ba, Sigatoka, and Tavua produced 100 tonnes of paddy.
