Fiji strengthens agricultural investment planning

Fiji is actively working to strengthen its capacity in developing and assessing agricultural investment proposals. This effort is being supported by economic and financial analysis training conducted under the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

Dr. Andrew Tukana, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Waterways, stated that the long-term objective is to modernize the ministry's investment planning process. To achieve this, the Ministry plans to develop a standard investment-planning manual. This manual will serve as a guide for preparing and evaluating major agricultural investment proposals.

“

the long-term objective is to modernise the ministry’s investment planning process.

The manual is intended to establish minimum requirements for evidence, analysis, and consultation, ensuring quality assurance. Dr. Tukana explained that this will prevent the quality of investment proposals from depending on individual officers or short-term project goals. The initiative aims to create a consistent and robust framework for agricultural investment.

Participants in the training are being equipped with practical tools to assess the economic and financial viability of agricultural investments. The training also covers how investments can remain sustainable amidst fluctuations in prices, production costs, and market conditions. This focus on resilience is crucial for long-term agricultural development in Fiji.

“

this would establish minimum requirements for evidence, analysis, consultation, quality assurance which will ensure the quality of investment proposals does not depend on individual officers or short term projects.