The trade relationship between Fiji and New Zealand is projected to reach an impressive $2 billion by the year 2030, according to Tomasi Tunabuna, the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways. In a recent address to Parliament, Minister Tunabuna revealed that this ambitious target was highlighted during a bilateral meeting earlier this year between Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
As part of efforts to bolster Fiji’s agricultural sector, a key focus of this collaboration revolves around enhancing food security, climate resilience, and market competitiveness. A recent “scoping mission” carried out by senior officials from Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture took place in New Zealand from November 15 to 23. This initiative aimed to foster strategic partnerships in modern agriculture, with an emphasis on incorporating technology, mechanization, and climate-smart farming practices.
During this mission, Minister Tunabuna indicated that the delegation’s objectives included strengthening cooperation in water management and watershed protection. By leveraging New Zealand’s successful models of integrated water governance, Fiji hopes to identify new export markets for high-value crops and develop pathways for agricultural education, capacity building, and technical exchange between the two nations.
The meetings conducted during the mission involved various stakeholders, including government agencies, distributors, research institutions, business councils, and growers, highlighting the multifaceted approach to enhancing Fiji’s agricultural landscape. The scoping mission signals Fiji’s unwavering commitment to evolving its agricultural sector into one that is not only resilient to climate challenges but also technology-driven and market-oriented. This transformation aims to foster prosperity for every Fijian household, marking a hopeful future for the nation’s agricultural development.