Salutation
Ni sa Bula Vinaka and a very good morning to you all!
I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we stand today, ki Vanua
Vakaturaga o’ Nawaiviluri, vua na Momo na Tui Ba (Nailaga).
I pay my respects to their Chiefs past and present, as well as to emerging leaders and members of the Vanua o’ Nadonumai who may be present here this morning.
I acknowledge their role in caring for the Vanua. May their strength and wisdom be with us today.
I am deeply honored and delighted to be here this afternoon to open this new Rice Mill.
Our local rice industry is key component of the “infrastructure” for our food security and livelihoods.
The recent pandemic illustrated very clearly that Fiji must rejuvenate its agriculture sector, including the rice industry.
While thousands were laid off, the agriculture industry thrived and showed that it is indeed the backbone of the nation and economy.
The Fiji Rice Limited (FRL) was established in 1960.
Originally the company was called Rewa Rice Limited and rebranded as Fiji Rice in 2017. This repositioned and reestablished the
company in the existing market.
In 1997, FRL was declared a Government Commercial Company [GCC] under the Public Enterprises Act [1996] as part of public sector reforms initiated by the SVT Coalition Government I led.
The company was entrusted with the responsibility to purchase and mill rice paddies as well as market milled-rice in a
commercial manner.
FRL is a 100% Government owned – entity which reports directly to the Ministry of Public Enterprises on its financial and non-financial performance.
I am proud to note as Prime Minister that rice produced by the Fiji Rice Limited carries the “Fiji Grown” logo.
This branding reaffirms FRL’s commitment and ability to produce rice locally and it is what we all should be proud of.
As proud patriots, we must all make an effort to buy “Fiji Grown” and “Fiji – Made” logos of authenticity because in doing so, we are supporting our own farmers and communities.
This strengthens our food security as a nation with the aim to become self-sufficient in terms of rice and other “essentials” of life and to reduce our annual import bill!
I want to acknowledge the Board of Fiji Rice, for their efforts in turning the industry around and for persuading government to introduce incentives for rice farmers and assistance with farm needs.
The company increased its paddy buying capacity as well as its own crushing or milling capacity which have reduced costs and
resulted in increased sales.
Government continues to provide a subsidy to support the company’s paddy-buying capacity.
In terms of the 2024-2025 Budget passed in Parliament this week:
the Fiji Rice Limited is allocated $1.4m within the allocation under the Public Enterprise Department;
under the Ministry of Agriculture:
FRL previously owned and operated two rice mills in Nausori and Dreketi.
However, in 2004, the Nausori Rice Mill ceased operations and only the Dreketi Mill remains in operation to date.
Further, to supplement the current paddy supply from the farmers and to meet the increasing demand for Fiji Rice, FRL is now
engaged in commercial rice farming.
HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
The FRL board and management have placed heavy emphasis on continuous repairs and upgrade.
In April 2016, FRL purchased a new mill that supplemented the current mill in Dreketi to better serve the needs of rice farmers and customers.
The new mill has significantly reduced the over-reliance and pressure on the existing mill, decreased repairs and maintenance costs and improved FRL’s milling capacity.
Further in 2018, FRL installed two electric dryers which were funded by Government.
In 2020, FRL built a new office and warehouse at Dreketi to assist farmers in the seamless collection of their payments and storage of paddy.
In 2023, FRL purchased a 5-acre vacant land in Dreketi for expansion of its current mill at a purchase price of $60,000.
For the financial period ended 31 July 2023, FRL reported an audited net profit after tax of $42.8k.
Through the reforms introduced by the Board, FRL has been able to overturn the loss position of yesteryears.
FRL’S NEW RICE MILL – BA
FRL was given an opportunity to operate this rice mill which was previously donated to the Ministry of Agriculture by the Government of the Peoples Republic of China.
I thank H.E. Zhou Zian again for being here today and the ongoing generosity of the Chinese Government to Fiji.
With FRL currently operating its only mill in Vanua Levu, the Board saw this as an opportune time to open another mill on the
main land.
This initiative aims to encourage farmers in Viti Levu to engage in rice farming.
The new mill represents FRL’s commitment to the community by bringing milling service closer to support the livelihood of rural
farmers on Viti Levu.
The mill has been renovated with the latest machinery enabling it to process 10 tonnes of paddy per day.
To assist farmers further, FRL will provide transportation for the paddy to be picked up free of cost from their farms to the mill.
There are currently 92 farmers engaged in rice farming from the Ba area to Rakiraki.
I have great hope that with the operations of this new Mill, rice production will continue to increase.
May I remind you all and the people of Fiji, to continue to buy the healthy and locally grown, “Fiji-made” rice and other Fiji – grown and Fiji made products to support our local industry and farmers!
I again congratulate the Fiji Rice Limited Board, Management and staff, and our hardworking farmers on this great achievement today!
Let’s become more self-sufficient and strive to improve our food security!
I have therefore great pleasure in declaring this new Fiji Rice Limited Mill – OPEN!
Vina’a Va’alevu!