SUVA, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Fijian government plans to expand the ginger industry as it is both economically and environmentally sustainable and provides a worthwhile livelihood for an increased number of people, the government said Wednesday.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture Viam Pillay said at the refurbishment of Frespac Ginger Factory in Lami outside Suva that Fiji has a comparative advantage in growing, processing and exporting ginger products due to the good soils and climate and the ability to meet organic certification requirements.
The Ministry of Agriculture and other public sector entities will help facilitate the supply of quality ginger from farmers through supporting business development and investment and creating an enabling regulatory and service delivery environment.
The Fijian Government is putting more emphasis on creating an investment friendly environment where it encourages expansion, high growth and increased returns. This includes the development of major infrastructure, enhancing market access, improving information flows, reviewing of policies and removal of constraints that hinder developments.
Fiji has been exporting ginger since the 1950s. By the mid-1980s, ginger had become Fiji's second biggest agricultural export product after sugar, with over 2,300 tonnes of mature fresh ginger sea- freighted annually to North America.
Today Fiji's focus on export market is a narrow seasonal niche for baby ginger. In parallel to the fresh export industry, processed ginger is now the industry's dominant sector, and is where the greatest growth opportunities lie.
