SUVA (The Fiji Times/PINA) — Fiji will benefit extensively from the $12 million allocated to the region during the “World Food Summit: Five Years Later” in Rome, a senior government official said.
Fiji’s share of the funds will be used to increase and diversify agriculture and fisheries, said Joji Kotobalavu, the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.
He said the allocation was welcome news for Fiji and the Pacific region.
“It pays to send delegations to the World Food Summit as it allows our people to put their cases directly to the Food and Agriculture Organization,” he said.
“The Agriculture Ministry has 14 task forces pursuing projects like the revival of rice production, expansion of the dairy industry, flat land agriculture and marine and aquaculture development.”
The summit was convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
FAO works to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security. Food security is defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life.
The estimated $12 million was allocated for food security and poverty alleviation in rural areas for the 14 Pacific island countries that are FAO members, Fiji officials said.
Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary Fusi Vave said agriculture ministers from the 14 island countries met to consider the framework for the assistance.
The meeting was chaired by Fiji Agriculture Minister Jonetani Galuinadi.
“Out of the $12 million, 80 percent would be allocated for national programs to meet World Food Summit commitments and 20 percent will be allocated for regional initiatives,” Vave said.
“The national programs will focus on initiation of community income generation programs.”
