The Fiji Government is embarking on a strategy to significantly reduce its dependence on imports.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama stated this at the Fiji Food Summit Meeting at the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi yesterday.
Mr Bainimarama said food made up only 14 per cent of total imports but its value had increased from $352m in 2004 to $520m last year.
“Food can easily be produced locally, but the question is why we aren’t producing sufficient quantities and qualities to meet our own demand,” Mr Bainimarama said.
“Reducing our food imports requires a shift in our attitudes and preferences,” he said.
He stated market creators should turn the table and develop partnerships for healthier demands and provisions accordingly. “The importers and the manufacturing sector should re-examine their products for healthier options and be innovative in reducing salts, sugars, and fats and use local produce and create markets and exports,” he said.
Mr Bainimarama said people should re-examine their shopping lists before they went to supermarkets as the cost would benefit their families and the country as a whole. He stated people should go local and buy Fiji-made and Fiji- grown to support local producers and farmers.
