Agriculture Minister vows tighter monitoring of farm funding

Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna says stricter monitoring of Government-funded agricultural programmes will improve accountability and ensure farmers make better use of taxpayer-funded assistance.

The Government allocated $221 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar in the 2026-2027 National Budget.

Mr Tunabuna said the ministry would closely assess the impact of its assistance programmes.

"The ministry will strictly monitor the programmes it has been supporting," Mr Tunabuna said.

"This means it will find out how recipients have utilised the funds provided by the ministry and the Government."

He said ministry assessments showed some farmers who had received assistance over the years should have achieved higher productivity.

"Productivity depends on how wisely you use the money given to you," he said.

Mr Tunabuna said the ministry would also focus on increasing the participation of women and young people in agriculture to strengthen the sector's future.

Meanwhile, Mr Immanuel announced a $2.5 million allocation for the Agricultural Marketing Authority to improve market access for underserved and smallholder farmers.

He also announced $3.6 million in funding for the Navuso Agriculture Technical Institute and the Tutu Training Centre to continue agricultural training and skills development.

The ministry also allocated $102 million towards the development of the non-sugar agriculture sector. This funding is aimed at strengthening the overall agricultural value chain, with a focus on improving productivity, sustainability, and export competitiveness.

Key areas of investment include:

• Crop and livestock research and extension services to enhance farming practices and innovation.
• Farm mechanisation, enabling farmers to adopt modern equipment and technologies to improve efficiency.
• Upgrading of farm access roads, which will facilitate better connectivity, reduce transportation costs, and improve market access for rural farmers.
• Support for increased primary production, particularly targeting high-value export commodities such as yaqona (kava), dalo (taro), ginger, spices, cocoa, and dairy products.

Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel said the Coalition Government also introduced the fertiliser and weedicide subsidy for dalo, ginger, cassava and vegetables.

A funding of $3 million is provided in the 2026–2027 Budget which will cater for additional crops such as yaqona and turmeric.

Business consultant Sandeep Narayan said the Budget provided reasonable support for the agriculture sector but noted ongoing challenges.

"One of the major challenges remains the Fiji Sugar Corporation, which continues to place a significant financial burden on taxpayers," Mr Narayan said.