FIJI FRUIT & VEGETABLE FARMERS ASSOCIATION

Due to the limitation in the growing season of vegetables in Fiji, a large share of the demand for high-valued vegetables is met by imports. In 2015, Fiji imported close to 300 tonnes of tomatoes worth FJD 2.5 million, with prices of local tomatoes ranging from FJD 1.71/kg in the main season to FJD 5.00 during the off-season. In 2022, Fiji’s imports of vegetables, fruits, and nuts were worth US$35.61 million, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.

The demand for high-value crops for domestic consumption and export is seen as a priority for economic development and improving livelihood in Fiji. The Ministry of Agriculture and Water Ways has identified fruits and vegetables as among the six “priority concerns” for export promotion and import substitution.
Fiji needs more varieties of tropical fruits and vegetables to meet its fast-expanding tourism sector, supermarkets, and restaurants to supply the high local demand. Potential horticultural commodities for local consumers, for the agro-processing sector for value-added processing, for export and niche markets include tomatoes, coconut, mango, duruka (Saccharum edule), papaya, pineapples, and guava; and vegetables. Potential also exists for snack food processing of readily available taro, cassava, bananas, and taro.

Fiji has an advantage in producing a wide variety of tropical fruits and vegetables, given the high local hotel demand, the ever-expanding tourism sector, and the high demand from local consumers. The Fiji Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Association was formed on the 6th of September 2019 and is registered with the Registrar of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations to represent the fruits and vegetable farmers around Fiji to: –
• Promoting, protecting, and maintaining just, fair, and proper treatment of all members of the FFVFA;
• Representing the interests of the members of the FFVFA to the Fiji government;
• Negotiating all matters relating to the promotion and development of the fruits and vegetable industry; and
• Securing the complete organization of the association.

Our Vision
A service committed to producing and supplying high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables with
guaranteed food safety, and cultivated under conditions friendly to the environment and people.

Our Mission
• Committed to providing the safest, highest-quality, and freshest fruits and vegetables, and fruits and vegetables products, thus achieving the highest consumer and market satisfaction;
• Creating and providing a conducive and safe workplace, and stable employment opportunities for the communities;
• Conducting a survey or visibility study with the markets, supermarkets, and the Hospitality industry preferences on fruits and vegetables and the volume needed to be purchased.

Our Values

 • Adaptability and result-oriented.
• Accountability and transparency.
• Accuracy and excellence.
• Commitment and timeliness.
• Creativity and effectiveness.
• Hard work and preparedness.
• Honesty and humility.
• Quality and uniqueness.
• Safe working environment.
• Teamwork and Unity.
• Trust and fairness.

Achievements so far

• Formation of the association on the 6th of September 2019;
• Registration of the Association to the Registrar of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations on the 2nd of June 2020;
• Having a cucumber demonstration farm in collaboration with AGCHEM Limited;
• Registration of 64 members to the FFVFA association;

Objectives:
The objectives of the association shall be to: –
✓ Be compliant with the Fiji Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Association’s Governance and Policies;
✓ Be compliant with the Trade Policies;
✓ Be compliant with the Biosecurity Authority (BAF) of Fiji Policies;
✓ Conduct a knowledge and skills gaps assessment of the new and current fruit and vegetable growers;
✓ Focus on the quality and quantity of fruits and vegetables, consistency and sustainability of yield;
✓ Ensure cluster locations where targeted markets are linked and are easily accessible to the farmers;
✓ Establish fruit and vegetable farmer clusters where linkages to the market would be accessible;
✓ Explore other marketing options for fruits and vegetables;
✓ Implement a proper Post-harvest management process regarding the packaging of mushrooms;
✓ Take action in combating climate change and its impacts through the adoption of organic farming, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable resource management

Strategies:
• Better understanding and compliant with the Policies of the Fiji Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Association;
• Better understanding and compliant with the Policies of the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji;
• Better understanding and compliant with Trade Policies;
• Empower fruit and vegetable growers with knowledge and skills in good agricultural practices in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables;
• Empower fruit and vegetable growers with knowledge and skills in proper post- harvest management practices of fruits and vegetables;
• Empower fruit and vegetable growers with knowledge and skills in value-adding of fruits and vegetables;
• Ensure donor funding is correctly directed to providing the fruits and vegetables farmers with the basic tools to ensure good quality yields;
• Continue to work in collaboration with our key stakeholders and buyers; and
• Focus on responsible sourcing that is embedded in our customers’ procurement process and that supports local farmers.

Action:
• Conducting a knowledge and skills assessment of the current and new fruit and vegetable farmers to ascertain their knowledge and skills gaps in the cultivation and production of fruits and vegetables;
• To conduct and carry out awareness and advocacy programs for the present and new members;
• Organize meeting discussions with the Fiji Chefs Association to understand more about their references for local fruits and vegetables;
• Conduct an awareness workshop for members on governance and compliance with relevant Policies of the Association;
• Conduct an awareness workshop for members on governance and compliance with relevant Policies of the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji;
• Conduct an awareness workshop for members on governance and compliance with relevant Trade Policies;
• Conduct workshop training for members on climate-smart farming concepts and the Value Chain system;
• Conduct workshop training for members on good agricultural practices in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables
• Link growers (suppliers) to the market (buyers); and
• Continue with the registration of new members.

MEMBERSHIP

The membership is open to any person who is currently planting fruits and vegetables and those farmers who are interested in planting fruits and vegetables.
The Entry fee for members of the Association shall be $10.00 and the Subscription fee shall be $10.00 annually. The entry fee and the subscription fee shall be non-refundable.

Members who are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears of subscription shall not be entitled to any Association benefits, nor will they be permitted to vote at any Association’s meeting. Members whose subscriptions are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears shall cease to be a member of the Association.
All members must abide by the rules of the Fiji Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Association.

All intending new members have to apply by paying the Entry and Subscription fee and filling out the FCLC Registration Form. The Registration Form can be obtained online or from the FCLC Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Level 2 Hugh Robinson Complex, Grantham Road, Raiwaqa, Suva.

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