The Assistant Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Sakiusa Tubuna visited Bula Coffee where he witnessed first-hand the Fijian grown crop-to-cup coffee processing facility.
Bula Coffee dubbed as one of Fiji’s first agri-tourism venture, is located in a picturesque spot along the Coral Coast in the Western Division of Viti Levu.
In April 2022, Bula Coffee owner, Luke Fryett, officially launched its first crop-to-cup coffee tour.
This tour enables visitors to experience first-hand how coffee is processed and learn about the company’s engagement with small-holder farmers which are mostly women, who they source from, all while enjoying the taste of locally grown high-quality coffee.
The agritourism venture has been harvesting coffee beans from the remote highlands of Fiji since 2011, enabling the business to bring tourists and customers organically grown coffee beans.
Hon. Tubuna was briefed at the facility by local Bula Coffee guide, Sikeli Bola, who highlighted that the venture is committed to sustainable business practices such as working directly with villages, supporting them to become organically certified and teaching locals the fine art of roasting coffee.
Hon. Tubuna commended the efforts of Bula Coffee in promoting sustainable business practices and supporting rural local communities especially the women farmers.
He stated their partnership model with the local communities enables the Fijian coffee growers to reap the reward of their hard work and natural resources and ultimately improve their livelihoods.
Furthermore, Hon. Tubuna stated that increasing women’s participation in the farming of locally grown Coffee beans permits them to rely on natural resources and surrounding environments to provide food, medicine and fuel for their families, at the same time, serves as a strong incentive to preserve and protect those resources.
By engaging women farmers, it has provided local village women and families with new income sources.
Hon. Tubuna also highlighted the importance of linking Agriculture to Tourism especially for the Pacific Island countries. He stated that Agri-tourism offers the best opportunities for inclusive economic growth in the Pacific region.
“The promotion of agri-tourism should help to create economic opportunities, build resilience in rural communities, and improve sustainable development.
“Agri-tourism based on traditional, sustainable and regenerative agriculture can play a role in supporting the resilience of farming households,” Hon. Tubuna added.
Bula Coffee exports it’s Fijian-made coffee beans to the United Kingdom, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand while also supplying to a number of local cafes in Fiji.