Fiji:$400k rice mill ice mill opens

By Elena Vucukula

A new Fiji rice mill facility worth more than $400,000, given by the Chinese government, was officially opened in Nailaga, Ba, on Saturday.

Officiating at the event, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka commended the Chinese ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian for being present at the official opening and the ongoing generosity of the Chinese government to Fiji.

”With Fiji Rice Ltd (FRL) currently operating its only mill in Vanua Levu, the board saw this as an opportune time to open another mill on the mainland,” he said.

”This initiative aims to encourage farmers in Viti Levu to engage in rice farming.”

Mr Rabuka said the new mill represents FRL’s commitment to the community by bringing milling service closer to support the livelihood of rural farmers on Viti Levu.

”The mill has been renovated with the latest machinery enabling it to process 10 tonnes of paddy per day.

”To assist farmers further, FRL will provide transportation for the paddy to be picked up free of cost from their farms to the mill.

“There are currently 92 farmers engaged in rice farming from the Ba area to Rakiraki.

“I have great hope that with the operations of this new mill, rice production will continue to increase.

“May I remind you all and the people of Fiji, to continue to buy the healthy and locally grown, ‘Fiji-made’ rice and other Fiji – grown and Fiji made products to support our local industry and farmers.

“Let’s become more self-sufficient and strive to improve our food security.”

This article has been republished from The Fiji Times.