Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says we are shifting away from traditional rice farming towards mechanised farming to make our industry a competitive and modern operation.

 He said: “That can only happen when we have new technology available to us.”

Mr Bainimarama said this was why the handover ceremony for China Aid-Fiji Rice Technical Machines at the Fiji National University ground in Koronivia yesterday was so valuable.

 “Rice is one of the major staple of the Fijian diet, but the rice industry itself has travelled a difficult road. Not so long ago, we came face to face with the fact that our rice industry was using severely outdated production technologies,” he said.

“These machines will help bring Fiji’s rice industry closer to self-sufficiency – by helping our own farmers meet our domestic demand, which will reduce our dependence on rice imports.

“We need to join the rest of the world in mechanising our rice farming. Modern rice farming is less labour-intensive and much more efficient than traditional rice farming.” 

The government of China will also be providing mechanical experts who will teach proper use and maintenance to our farmers.