FAO launch new office in Fiji
FIJI'S agricultural sector will gain immensely from the physical presence of FAO, which officially launched an office in Suva in April.
Located within the Ministry of Agriculture complex, the existence of the international government organisation in Fiji, is the culmination of the host country agreement that was sealed in Rome between the Hon. Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and FAO's Director General Jose Graziano da Silva.
The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Hon. Inia Seruiratu, in his opening speech, lauded FAO's continued support towards the growth of Fiji's agricultural sector through the provision of technical expertise.
“The role of FAO is critical and we heavily rely on that particularly in the eradication of hunger, in food and malnutrition and nutrition security, as well as by the elimination of poverty by driving social and economic progress and the sustainable development of our resources,” Hon. Seruiratu commented.
In replying to the Minister, FAO's Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands, Mr Gavin Wall, said that the opening of the Organization's Fiji office “represents an opportunity to strengthen the association in what is a two-way flow of benefits.
“We believe that FAO can continue to contribute to the advancement of the food and agricultural sectors of Fiji and with the management of natural resources. However, we also look forward to a greater contribution from Fiji to the challenges facing the Pacific and global food systems.
“As one sign of the stronger association, FAO has been able to mobilise US$1.3 million to help recovery from Tropical Cyclone Winston. These funds will be used to help farmers and fishers re-establish food production, help foresters harvest windblown trees, and to assist the Biosecurity of Fiji to monitor animal diseases in the wake of the cyclone.”
Hon. Seruiratu acknowledged FAO's assistance in the formulation of the Fiji 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda that was launched by the Hon. Prime Minister in 2013. FAO, he said, continues to support the Government through the provision of rural agriculture data and statistics.
FAO's efforts centers around the achievement of food security for all; that all human beings must have regular access to enough high quality food to lead active and healthy lives.
FAO's relationship with Fiji isn't new. Over the past 46 years, cooperation between Fiji and UN FAO has been ongoing since the country joined the Organization in 1971.
Hon. Seruiratu also acknowledged the Ministry's partners - the European Union, Australian government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and other key agencies “that have made significant improvements not only in terms of agriculture production, but also in the value chain development.”