Challenges and Opportunities for Agrarian Transformation and Development of Agribusinesses in Fiji

Abstract

More than 45 per cent of Fiji's population lives in the rural areas and a significantly large proponion lives on meagre income. There have been many e.ffons in the past to improve the rural economy but only limited success has been achieved. There are many constraints that hinder sustainable development of this sector. A wide range of well-designed policies are needed to increase primary production and simultaneously develop sustainable agribusiness enterprises to add value and generate more rural income. This paper analyses these issues and delves on policy prescriptions to create the right macroeconomic environment to encourage agri-entrepreneurship to boost farm production through commercialisation. It further argues that strengthening agribusiness linkages with small-scale farmers would provide both the basis and means of rural economy contributing to poverty reduction and sustainable development.