Fiji is facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, with many young people losing their lives and families left without their breadwinners.
Dr Rajesh Maharaj has expressed concern over this crisis and is advocating for the consumption of natural, locally available foods such as avocados.
He says avocados are a super food rich in essential micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals often missing from Fijian diets and while food such as rice, root crops, and meats provide macronutrients, avocados offer vital micronutrients such as Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, magnesium, and antioxidants.
Dr Maharaj says avocados are beneficial for heart health and it is also rich in dietary fibre, aiding digestion and detoxification.
He says they also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which play a crucial role in cardiovascular health.
Dr Maharaj says despite these benefits many Fijians, particularly younger generations, are reluctant to eat avocados due to an unfamiliar taste, however, he encourages different preparation methods such as eating them in salads, making chutneys, spreading them on bread, or consuming them directly.
He says if more people start eating avocados, more farmers will plant them, leading to increased availability, reduced prices, and even export opportunities.
Dr Maharaj is urging farmers to get into avocado farming.
He says over the past two years, during each avocado season, he has been collaborating with community members and organisations to collect avocado seeds for distribution to farmers.
The doctor is urging the public not to throw away avocado seeds but instead, keep them, and they will arrange for collection and distribution across Fiji.
Seeds can be dropped off at locations such as his medical centre in Laucala Beach and plans are in place to also involve various churches, temples, and Ministry of Agriculture offices for dropping off the seeds.
Dr Maharaj has also offered to personally facilitate the collection of seeds from people's homes where people can contact him on 9389644.
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