Fair rewards promised as dairy farmers lift quality, output

Dairy farmers can expect fair rewards for improved quality, as Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Ltd works towards higher production.

Cooperative chief executive officer Kushmendra Prasad said farmers could expect competitive milk pricing, and performance-based incentives.

“The incentive structure encourages healthy competition among farmers, and creates confidence, to reinvest in better genetics, feed, and farm systems,” he said.

“To support faster growth, the cooperative will revisit the importation of quality heifers from overseas, particularly as animal health and disease control measures have stabilized.

“This will allow us to increase production capacity quickly while maintaining strict biosecurity and animal welfare standards.”

Infrastructure development was also on top of the list priorities for 2026, Mr Prasad said.

Investments in rural road access, additional chiller units, and modern farm machinery would help reduce post-harvest losses, improve milk quality, and ensure reliable collection from both remote and high-volume farming areas, he said.

“We are also strengthening focus and model farms to showcase best practices, allowing farmers to learn through practical demonstration rather than theory alone,” Mr Prasad said.

“Both bulk suppliers, and smallholder farmers, are expected to grow, with bulk suppliers targeting at least 15 per cent production growth, while smallholders continue to improve efficiency and yields per cow.”

The cooperative would continue to strengthen national food security, reduce reliance on imports, and build a resilient and competitive dairy industry, Mr Prasad said.

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