VITI RICE FARMERS ASSOCIATION

Rice is consumed by more than half of the world’s population. It is the staple food playing a key role to ensure food and nutrition security. Locally, rice is a major source of food for all ethnicities and has greatly contributed to the improvement of the livelihood of those farmers and families who rely on rice as a main source of income.

Rice has been growing in Fiji for a little over a century. In the 1930s and 1940s, the colonial government started Fiji’s first official rice development programs due to the low sugar prices and the high importation of rice. Rice farms were formed in the Central, Northern, and Western Divisions. 11 irrigation schemes in the Central and Northern Divisions were established after 1970. Along with the construction of the irrigation schemes, several rice development programs were implemented. Assistance, subsidies, restrictions, and incentives were provided for the rice farmers in order to achieve self- sufficiency.

Unfortunately, the rice industry in Fiji has not been promising. The aging of rice farmers is a major concern in the rice industry as the younger generation is not willing to actively participate in rice farming. Over the years, rice production has been declining and the yield has been low. Fiji is losing close to $44 million in importing rice from countries such as Vietnam, China, and India every year. Fiji imported $42.6m worth of rice, which is equivalent to around 40,000 metric
tonnes in 2019, and about 8,000 metric tonnes are produced and consumed locally. Fiji has the potential to be self-sufficient in rice production. The good weather condition, good soil structure, and fertility suited for rice cultivation, availability of land, good technical skills of officers, and a guaranteed local market are just some of the advantages that should enhance rice production thus, reducing the importation of rice. The provision of iinitiatives by the government and other stakeholders to ensure that we have replacement farmers can also lead to the development of a more stable rice industry.

The Fiji Rice Farmers Association was formed in 2019 by the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council. The FRFA is also registered with the Registry of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations. On the 15th of January 2023, the association changed its name to Viti Rice Farmers Association to represent the rice farmers around Fiji to: –
✓ Secure the complete organization of the Association;
✓ Promote, protect, and maintain just and proper treatment of members in all aspects of the rice industry;

✓ Represent the interest of the members to the Fiji Government and to the stakeholders;
✓ Negotiate all matters relating to the promotion and development of the rice industry;
✓ Consider the development of technical innovations, and provide knowledge and information for the rice industry;
✓ Assist in ensuring the development and improvement of rice supply, quality, and cost;
✓ Consider issues of its members;
✓ Work with the Ministry of Agriculture in bringing together a diverse group of young farmers around rice farming;
✓ Work with the Ministry of Agriculture in increasing farm productivity and profitability;
✓ Create a network amongst its members and stakeholders;
✓ Help ensure rice self-sufficiency and food security;
✓ Reduce hunger and poverty;
✓ Transform lives in the rice farming communities; and
✓ Establish a legal framework enabling farmers to access aid funding to advance their businesses.

Our Vision
Improving and sustaining the production of nutritious rice locally.

Our Mission
To increase food and income security, and reduce poverty and hunger.

Our Values

 • Accountability and Transparency;
• Commitment and Hard Work;
• Confidence and Courage;
• Cooperation and Teamwork;
• Family and Friendship;
• Results–oriented.

Objectives:
✓ To improve livelihood and enhance food security;
✓ To empower present and young rice farmers with skills and knowledge on the cultivation of rice and climate resilience;
✓ To revive the cultivation of rice in Fiji;
✓ To capture and encourage Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) in rice cultivation;
✓ To encourage and include youths and women to engage in the cultivation of rice;
✓ To be compliant with the governance and policies binding the association;
✓ To be compliant with the trade policies;
✓ To produce nutritious rice.
✓ To be inclusive and enhance gender equality.

Strategies:
• Provide technical and advisory support services for the satisfaction of the members of the Viti Rice Farmers Association;
• Empower rice farmers (old and young) with knowledge and skills in rice cultivation and production;
• Revitalize rice cultivation in Fiji;
• Compliance with the governance and policies associated with the association.
• Compliance with the trade policies;
• Advocate and build a network for securing trust, support, and corporative amongst the members;
• Provide quality and nutritious rice;
• Liaise with the government and stakeholders for the provision of initiatives for young rice farmers;
• Registration of new members.

Action
• Conduct awareness and advocacy programs on the importance of the rice commodity to the farming community with potential for producing rice;
• Organizing or providing technical and advisory services from either the MOA Officers or reputable successful rice farmers;
• Conduct training workshops to empower and upskill rice farmers (young and old) with the knowledge and skills in rice cultivation, harvesting, post-harvest management, and value-adding;
• Meet and lobby with the government and other stakeholders on the provision of initiatives to attract young farmers into rice farming;
• Conduct awareness on the governance and policies of the association;
• Conduct awareness on trade policies compliance;

• Conduct a registration drive for new members.

Membership
The membership is open to any person who is currently planting ginger and those farmers who are interested in planting ginger.
The Entry fee for members to the Association shall be $10.00 and the Subscription fee shall be $5.00 annually. The entry fee and the subscription fee is 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 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.