Fiji imports $5M worth of pulses in a year

Fiji imports 920 tons of pulses with a value of $5 million in a year.

This was revealed by the Minister for Agriculture, Inia Seruiratu during the introduction of new Mung Bean variety at Bulileka Labasa yesterday.

Seruiratu says that the local production last year in the Western Division was 125 hectares and 20 hectares in the Northern Division producing a total of 130 tons with a value of $0.8 million.

However,  he says this is not sufficient to meet the demands locally.

He says the new variety of Mung bean is high in yield, early maturing and is a drought tolerant crop, hence the a high production can be expected.

He says that the crop is suitable for growing as an inter crop with sugarcane.

The Minister says that the new variety Mung bean is highly rich in vitamins A, B and C which will also provide healthy diets to school students.

The name of the new variety Mung Bean is “Samraat” which means the emperor.