Local agripreneurs in Fiji are set to significantly benefit from increased access to global expertise and innovation, following a productive week-long mission by a delegation from AgHub India, headquartered in Hyderabad. The primary focus of the visit was to empower Fijian agripreneurs by sharing key insights from India’s vibrant agri-innovation landscape.
The mission commenced with a courtesy meeting with Peni Sikivou, the Acting Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Business Development. Sikivou emphasized the importance of empowering local entrepreneurs as a critical factor for sustained agricultural growth in Fiji.
Throughout the week, discussions focused on providing customized incubation support, mentorship, and coordinated ecosystem strategies. These initiatives are aimed at helping agribusiness startups overcome common challenges such as securing financing, adopting new technologies, and accessing markets. The delegation worked closely with Business Assistance Fiji and the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council to identify ways to enhance support services for agripreneurs, particularly those operating in rural areas and involved in value-added agricultural activities.
A central feature of the mission was a pivotal roundtable discussion that brought together various government agencies and development partners. Participants assessed how a holistic, ecosystem-wide approach could improve opportunities for agribusiness entrepreneurs, enhance productivity, and bolster resilience within the agricultural sector.
The delegation also conducted on-site visits to local agribusinesses, which provided them with first-hand insight into the challenges faced by Fijian entrepreneurs. These challenges included production limitations, logistics obstacles, and the urgent need for innovative solutions. Such interactions revealed practical opportunities for collaboration, drawing on India’s successful experiences in scaling agribusiness solutions suited for smallholder contexts.
This partnership signals a hopeful future for Fiji’s agricultural sector, creating pathways for local agripreneurs to thrive within a competitive global environment and fostering a culture of innovation and resilience.