Declaring Taveuni an organic agricultural produce island will be vital in enhancing the local and export market for farmers and food business proprietors, says Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka.

During his recent two-week Northern Division tour, Mr Rabuka said the declaration could enhance agricultural income generation to the island.

To achieve this organic status, Mr Rabuka urged farmers to restrain the use of weedicides and chemical fertilisers.

This, he believed, would promote the Island as the “organic basket of food production in Fiji” and pave the way in marketing organic food produce internationally.

The financial benefits of this promotion would be massive for the growth of people and business on the Garden Island of Fiji, he said.

“There is a separate market for organic food producing crops, vegetables and fruits which is of a very high demanding market in the world,” Mr Rabuka said.

“Consumer preference to organic food produce depends on understanding its source and manner of growth technique used, during this environment awareness era.”

As Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Mr Rabuka said to establish this status; it was up to the islanders on how best they could implement organic means of farming.

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Story by: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj