Fiji's Research Director Prasad Calls for More Investment in Agricultural Research

Shalendra Prasad, Director of Research at Koronivia, is calling for a significant increase in investment for agricultural research in Fiji. He emphasizes that additional funding is essential to expand research capabilities, improve production methods, and provide enhanced support to farmers nationwide.

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There has been good support from the past government and also good support from the current government, but definitely we need more.

Prasad acknowledged the positive support received from both past and current governments but stressed the need for greater financial commitment. "There has been good support from the past government and also good support from the current government, but definitely we need more," he stated. He believes that substantial investment in agricultural research will directly lead to increased production and strengthen the nation's economic foundation.

Research initiatives have already yielded positive results, with new crop varieties and technologies undergoing testing before being transferred to farmers for commercial application. "The crops that we are promoting have all been tested. The varieties have been introduced and we test those varieties in the fields and then we release them for farmers to upscale and commercialise," Prasad explained.

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The heavy investment in agriculture research will mean that the production will increase and the base of the country will improve.

This call for increased investment comes as Fiji's Minister for Finance underscores the critical role of agricultural research in safeguarding the national economy against future uncertainties. "Every dollar allocated to agricultural research is a dollar spent protecting our national balance sheet from future disaster relief costs," the minister noted. "Healthy soils and resilient seeds and animal breeds directly mean fewer food imports and a stronger Fijian dollar."

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The crops that we are promoting have all been tested. The varieties have been introduced and we test those varieties in the fields and then we release them for farmers to upscale and commercialise.

Prasad concluded that bolstering agricultural research will empower Fiji to increase its output, adopt innovative technologies, and cultivate a more resilient agricultural sector capable of withstanding future challenges.

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Every dollar allocated to agricultural research is a dollar spent protecting our national balance sheet from future disaster relief costs. Healthy soils and resilient seeds and animal breeds directly mean fewer food imports and a stronger Fijian dollar.