Green Pearl officially launched

The Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu has officially launched the Green Pearl, a new variety of guava for commercial cultivation.

While officiating at the launch Seruiratu stressed that there is a need to develop Fiji's fruit industry to include more locally grown fruits in our diets.

He adds that guava, until now has not been a commercially cultivated crop and the release of this variety has provided farmers with the opportunity to grow a new crop at commercial scale.

Seruiratu adds that a total of 2,500 seedlings of this variety has been planted as organized orchards and will start bearing fruits in a month's time.

The Agriculture Minister also highlighted that reducing fruits and vegetable imports is a priority of the government and replacing these imports with local supply faces a number of challenges.

Seruiratu says that vulnerability to climate change is the most serious among the poor, particularly the smallholder farmers in rural and remote areas.

He says that the agriculture sector must strengthen its resilience to climate change, natural disasters and other shocks.

Seruiratu stressed that improving the health of the environment by consistently applying sustainable management techniques is critical in achieving this.

Seruiratu also says that the transition toward climate smart agriculture is essential to improve resilience in the agriculture sector.