General Manager of British American Tobacco Fiji, Mr Damian Bruty,
Management and staff of British American Tobacco Fiji,
Partner farmers,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and very good morning to you all.
It’s a pleasure to be here with you all for the first Annual Star Farmer Incentive Awards to recognise the BAT Fiji farmers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Last year, the Hon. Prime Minister joined you all in launching the British American Tobacco’s (BAT) Star Farmer Incentive Programme, specially to encourage and recognise the growing excellence of hundreds of farmers under this initiative.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Now in the second year of this Programme, and having endured the adverse effects of a pandemic, coupled with natural disasters, we are gathered again to create opportunities.
Opportunities to continue upskilling our farmers, opportunities to adopt best practices, opportunities to grow and trade more, and opportunities for greater yield and income.
When we had virtually no tourists coming to Fiji – our economy was cushioned by Fiji’s agriculture sector. In 2021, agricultural exports increased by 43.7 percent compared to 2019 to $284.9 million.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
These figures show us how you are contributing to the growth of the nation. And, your Government wants you to continue this good work.
It’s part of our greater vision of a diversified economy – an economy that doesn’t rely heavily on any one sector. An economy whose progress is fuelled from ground up.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the past two years, we have seen significant growth in export of kava, ginger and tumeric amongst other spices. Compared to 2019, in 2021, the export of kava increased by 29 percent to $41.9 million, turmeric by 254 percent to $23 million, whilst spices grew by 175 percent to $31.9 million.
Besides our traditional crops, these are the potential crops that you all could venture into, during the off-season. There are many other agro-products that will do well in this region – such as pineapple, papaya and mangoes. Again, these are opportunities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Government also gave national recognition to farmers and their agricultural produce through the “Fijian Made – Buy Fijian” brand.
When you carry the Fijian Made brand – you carry with you recognition of what Fijians are capable of – a mark of quality products and services we offer the world. So please, reach out to the Ministry and carry and become part of this campaign.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, we are recognising twenty-three farmers with the Star Farmer Gold Award and ninety-two best performing farmers who will be awarded the Star Farmer Silver Award.
With this support – you can buy farm equipment and crop inputs worth $1,000 and $500, respectively. You, as cultivators of our land, have shown extraordinary determination to learn and go far beyond simply growing tobacco. So this is an investment in you.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am proud to hear that one hundred and fifteen farmers – and not just men – but our women farmers too are being awarded. It would be amiss, if I didn’t mention the important role Women continue to play in contributing to agriculture and rural livelihood.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I commend BAT Fiji for supporting our farmers for sixty-seven years. That’s more than six decades of support to the agriculture industry and support to farmers to cultivate tobacco and other agricultural produce outside of the growing season.
The Farmers have been supported by BAT Fiji so you can maximise your returns. This assistance starts from the State-of-the-Art Greenhouses located right here. In these greenhouses, BAT Fiji is able to cultivate seedlings, regardless of external weather conditions, before they are handed over to farmers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This, coupled with subsidies provided for land preparation and reduced cost of fertilizer and crop treatment chemicals, gives famers great opportunities. You can also benefit from a guaranteed market and fixed price for your harvest, which gives security.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We take pride in providing the right training and assistance to Fijians.
Last Tuesday, I announced a new initiative for micro businesses called the Trade Enhancement Programme. This programme is special because it’s aimed at supporting new and existing businesses who have special trade or unique skills. The support is up to $500.
Since the launch of the Programme, the Ministry has received over 100 applications, valued at $159,000. And these come from different businesses like handicrafts, floriculture and bakery.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the years, the Fijian Government has made great strides to empower Fijians who want to start their own business. That’s why we provide targeted support and assistance. That’s why we have, today, a Department dedicated to micro, small and medium enterprises – MSME Fiji.
The MSME Fiji has a number of business training programmes that guide you through the daily operation of your businesses and ensure that your business is sustainable and profitable. Through MSME Fiji, we are able to provide a range services such technical and financial assistance, advice and training.
For the sustainability of your business, we offer mentoring and guidance services –focused on helping the smallest of businesses start and improve existing businesses – as a strategy for creating more and better employment.
Additionally, Ladies and Gentlemen, there are other forms of models you can consider. One such form is the establishment of Co-operatives. The foundation on which co-operatives are built, includes self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
It is very close to our communal living and our way of life. People with similar ideas can pool resources together and start a business through the co-operative model. It gives each member ownership and responsibility in making the business a success.
A perfect example of a successful agricultural co-operative is Wai Farmers Co-operative Limited in Ra. In order to further their business, Wai Farmers members were supported with a tractor through Integrated Human Resource Development Programme (IHRDP). They have been able to use the tractor on their farms and also hire it out when their farms are done. The Co-operative now has $10,000 in their bank account.
This is just one example of how, with the right support, you can unlock your potential by making strategic investments.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Coming back to today’s event, the support provided by BAT has enabled farmers’ income to improve by $1,000 per hectare, on average, in the last season. These are successes worthy of mention.
We look forward to many more such supply chain partnerships that make the business successful from the source all the way to the final product – where the buyer has a distinct relationship with suppliers of the raw materials. Where the farmers understand the needs of the manufacturers and the changing market trends. There is clear and easy flow of information. And most importantly, there is consistent supply to a guaranteed market.
With these words, I congratulate BAT Fiji for establishing the “Star Farmer Incentive Programme”. To the awardees and all the farmers, I congratulate you and wish you the best in the next steps you take.
Vinaka Vakalevu and Thank You all.