China, Fiji to boost agriculture cooperation

Fiji plans to boost its cooperation with China by promoting Fijian agricultural products including fisheries and tropical agriculture products, the Pacific island country's Minister for Agriculture Inia Seruiratu said Monday.

The developments followed the Fiji-China 4th Joint Working Committee meeting held in Suva on Monday, where the two countries discussed areas of trade and cooperation, including training for rice, ginger and mushroom farming and capacity building for Fijian agricultural officials.

Zhang Taolin, China's vice minister of agriculture, said China is willing to provide training and assistance in the areas of livestock, value addition and food technology.

Seruiratu said Fiji is grateful to China for its continuous support in agriculture, and talks are underway for a memorandum of understanding between the two countries to expand bilateral relations.

"Our agricultural bilateral cooperation in the areas of rice development has been fruitful," Seruiratu said, adding that Chinese experts have been working with Fijian farmers to develop better rice yield and providing seeds to those farmers.

"Rice harvest equipment provided by the Chinese government has also added value to our production of rice," said Seruiratu.

With China's technical assistance, he said, the Juncao mushroom industry is also progressing well in Fiji. Endit