Sheep farmers want more support to meet market demand

Sheep farmers in Fiji’s Northern Division are aiming to expand their livestock numbers to capitalise on a thriving market and are calling for increased support from the Government.

Mohammed Talim, a large-scale sheep farmer from Bocalevu, Labasa, currently manages a flock of 75 sheep and hopes to increase this to 200.

He said sheep farming is a profitable business and leads to good profits if sold at the right price on a busy period. 

"I believe if assistance is timely provided by government to farmers, we can beat the lamp import market and bridge the gap towards self-sufficiency," Mr Talim said. 

Mr Talim acknowledged the effort of Government in encouraging sheep farmers to grow their stock to promote local sheep meat production to reduce imports. 

In Parliament last week, Minister for Agriculture, Tomasi Tunabuna, revealed the sheep and wool industry was thriving with increase in registered private sheep farms in Fiji. 

Private sheep farms increased from 503 in 2014 to 1280 farms until date which indicated a significant growth of 61 per cent. 

This led to sheep livestock increases from 18, 603 to 41, 895 flock size with growth concentrated along the Western and Northern Division. 

The 60-year-old farmer said there were challenges along the way such as theft of sheep and deaths due to natural disasters and other external factors. 

However, he never lost hope and invested close to $100,000 on his 140-acre farm at Bocalevu in Labasa. 

"I want to increase the stock size on the ample farming land available to me by fencing the area and constructing additional stock yards to rear more
sheep," he said. 

Mr Talim requested the Government if a grant could be provisioned farmers like him, such as fencing grant to allow security for more sheep to be raised. 

When approached on the Government's aim to reduce dependence on lamp imports, he supported this effort and believed farmers like were the backbone. 

"We farmers in Fiji can increase stock with continuous grant support from government which will help local production increase in the market for consumption," he suggested. 

With lamp imports dominating over local sheep meat production, this had affected the price of local sheep meat to $10/kilogram from the previous $12 per kg. 

His whole sheep price varied from $300 to $600. Pasture management remains a vital part of raising quality sheep breeds. 

"I have ample pasture on my farm so that's not an issue".

He hopes to introduce indoor feeding with help from government and personal investment to construct more sheep stock yards. 

Another farmer from the same locality, Ahmad Firoz, raised 25 sheep and is new to the industry, he shared. 

"I have applied for agricultural grant for livestock previously, but, have not received any help, so I want to request again if I could be considered," he said. 

The soft-spoken gentleman said small-scale farmers like need government encouragement through grants to increase stock size. 

"I not only a hobby, but, a sustainable income source," he said. 

Another sheep farmer from Nadogo in Macuata, Aiyub Khan, said sheep farming fetched a good income during the busy period especially the festive periods. 

Mr Khan, previously worked at a Government printing press in Vatuwaqa, Suva, but, returned to switch back to raise sheep and livestock on his farm as his prime source of
income. 

Fiji produced 149 tonnes of local sheep meat in 2023, compared to 8067 tonnes imported that year, valued at $72.3 million. 

He added Fiji's own breed, Fiji Fantastic sheep, had performed well with exports to Samoa and Tonga.