17 Oct 2014

Fiji to boost its local rice production

8:01 am on 17 October 2014

Fiji is to get expert advice from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in order to boost its local rice production and avoid relying on imports.

The FAO's regional coordinator for the Pacific, Gavin Wall, says experts will provide training on the cycle of rice production including land preparation, harvesting and storage.

Mr Wall says Fiji stands to benefit from growing its own rice to meet local demand.

"I think they have a feeling that they are importing too large a proportion of that crop and any country that is heavily reliant on food imports opens themselves up to global food price fluctuation and there is always a risk of, in effect, importing inflation."

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation spokesperson, Gavin Wall, says rice can be a challenge to grow and it is important farmers have access to good advice.

A villager in the cane fields near Lautoka, Fiji

A villager in the cane fields near Lautoka, Fiji Photo: RNZI / Sally Round