Fiji’s school meals plan could generate $25 million for farmers

Fiji’s proposed Home-Grown School Meals Policy could create as much as $25 million in additional annual income for the country’s agriculture sector, according to research presented under the Colour My Plate initiative.

The estimates put the potential increase in annual income for local food suppliers between $10 million and $25 million. The policy would connect schools directly with Fijian farmers and seafood producers, creating a dependable domestic market for their products.

Asaeli Naika, a Food Science assistant lecturer at Fiji National University, said the program could give farmers a steady and predictable outlet for their produce. “We have also created a market. So this ensures market stability and sustainable growth for small-scale farms.”

Naika also pointed to the challenge of ensuring a reliable supply of fresh vegetables for school meal programs across the Pacific. Consumer Council of Fiji Chief Executive Seema Shandil said the proposed program could deliver two benefits at once: better nutrition for children and stronger local food production. By increasing purchases from domestic producers, the initiative could also reduce Fiji’s reliance on imported food.

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We have also created a market. So this ensures market stability and sustainable growth for small-scale farms.