The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry is enhancing support for farmers by focusing on the digital skills of its field officers. In 2025, the Land Resources Planning Division (LRPD) implemented practical training sessions across Ba Province, including areas such as Tavua, Ba, Lautoka, and Nadi.
These training programs aimed to empower staff with tools like Survey123 and ArcGIS, which are essential for improving farm-level data collection, mapping, and production planning. The results were immediate; data collected during these sessions assisted in conducting a detailed pineapple survey, leading to a successful export of locally grown pineapples to the New Zealand market. This development has created new trade opportunities for local growers.
Recently, the Ministry concluded another round of Basic GIS and Survey123 training for officers in Tailevu Province. These sessions are designed to enhance digital mapping and data-gathering capabilities, allowing officers to more accurately monitor crop outputs, track farming activities, and provide informed advice to producers.
The combination of this training and the launch of a new pineapple survey highlights the government’s commitment to improving agricultural planning, boosting productivity, and expanding access to both domestic and international markets. Future training programs are anticipated to reach other regions of Fiji, ensuring that farmers across the nation are better equipped to compete in an increasingly global agricultural landscape.