Investor targets high-value crops in Macuata

Interest in high-end crops has driven Darius Singh to conduct scientific soil testing to ensure productive ag­ricultural results.

High-end or high-value crops (HVCs) are agricultural products that yield significant financial returns per unit area compared to traditional staples.

The crops targeted by the overseas developer in Dreketi, Macuata Province include cinnamon, vanilla, cacao, tur­meric and ginger.

Mr Singh of Blue Phoenix Group (Fiji) PTE Ltd revealed plans to develop farms focusing on value-added crops to generate new income streams.

The initiative would be implemented in phase two of Mr Singh's eco-astro tourism and agricultural development project at Valelawa in Dreketi, where the company owns 250 acres of freehold land.

High-end crops are faster income earners and top sellers compared to many traditional crops grown in Fiji.

"Through my project, I want to create a magnet-like ap­proach where outsiders will be enticed to buy our products because of its high quality and demand," he said.

A Kokovu Fiji chocolate industry is also expected to be established in phase two of the $10m agricultural develop­ment.

Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna commended such investors focusing on high-end crops.

While traditional crops such as kava, dalo and cassava generate reasonable profits, high-end crops often fetche higher prices, particularly in overseas markets.

Mr Tunabuna said other crops, such as mushrooms, could also generate strong profits if farmed sustainably.

Turaga ni Yavusa of Naua in Dreketi, Macuata, Marika Votomosi Naeqe, said the project would encourage villag­ers to recognise the value of these crops.

Mr Naeqe said diversifying from traditional farming into high-end crops could significantly improve villagers' fi­nancial status.

"These crops, once sold, can help us grow financially;" he said.

Mr Singh said these crops could be processed into tablet form for export.

Innovation in farming is vital and understanding market de­mand is a sign of a farmer applying sound economic princi­ples.