Fiji bets on bananas, yams and pineapples to drive future exports

The potential of bananas as Fiji's next export star has gained attention following the difficulties facing the country's sugar industry. Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has urged diversification of agricultural exports, highlighting bananas as a key alternative alongside crops such as yams and pineapples.

Rabuka stressed that before the sugar boom, Fiji exported a wide range of agricultural products. Among the traditional crops that could be revitalized are local yam varieties such as taniela leka, vurai and niu madu, which could offer better yields per hectare and higher incomes compared to sugarcane. These tubers are particularly suitable for cultivation in machine-prepared fields.

The Prime Minister also stressed that the transition to organic certification could better position Fiji in the international market. He explained that spending a few years clearing fields of fertilizer and pesticide residues would allow access to niche markets with high demand for agrochemical-free produce.

As for bananas, Rabuka pointed out that Fiji's climatic and soil conditions are naturally favorable for the cultivation of this fruit, which provides a competitive opportunity. He also stressed the need to strengthen biosecurity measures to protect crops against pests and invasions by foreign species.

source: fijitimes.com

photo: twoatsea.com