The Fiji Agri-Innovate Competition 2025 was officially launched today, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to strengthening Fiji’s agriculture and MSME sectors through innovation, entrepreneurship and coordinated partnerships.
The event brought together government agencies, development partners, private-sector actors and 12 finalists whose ideas reflect the emerging strength of Fiji’s agri-food innovation landscape.
Opening the event, Assistant Minister for Commerce and Business Development, Hon. Sachida Nand, emphasised the significance of the Competition in advancing national MSME development.
“This is a signal of Government’s determination to place MSMEs at the centre of Fiji’s next phase of inclusive and sustainable growth,” said the Assistant Minister.
He acknowledged the European Union for its financial support, the Food and Agriculture Organisation for its technical expertise, and Business Assistance Fiji for its role in coordinating the programme.
Hon. Nand noted that the Competition creates a valuable platform that brings together farmers, technologists, young entrepreneurs, investors and development partners under one national agenda.
“This competition sets a new benchmark for Fiji by bringing together some of the most promising agri-innovators from across our islands under one roof,” said Hon. Nand.
Reflecting on the national policy environment, he underscored that Agri-Innovate gives practical effect to the recently launched MSME Strategic Plan 2025–2030, which lays out a coordinated pathway for MSMEs to contribute around 40 percent of GDP by 2030. He stated that the Competition strengthens entrepreneurship support, market access and technology uptake, core pillars of the Strategic Plan.
Congratulating the Top 12 finalists, the Assistant Minister praised the practical and innovative solutions being pitched, which address genuine challenges faced by Fijian farmers and agribusinesses.
“These are not just interesting ideas; they are practical solutions to the everyday challenges our farmers face, and they point to new value chains and export opportunities for Fiji,” said Hon. Nand.
He encouraged participants to demonstrate confidence and clarity over the next two days, assuring them that the Government remains committed to expanding opportunities for MSMEs to grow and formalise.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Chief Economist, Ms. Sainiana Kiristiana, reaffirmed that the Competition aligns with the Ministry’s 10-Year Agriculture Sector Policy, which targets productivity gains, climate resilience, agro-processing and inclusive value chains. She also highlighted the Ministry’s upcoming National Women’s Agriculture Symposium, a platform intended to support and elevate women-led agribusinesses.
Ms. Joann Young, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) representative to Fiji outlined the contributions of the EU-funded STODAS Programme, which is extending mentorship, market access and practical business support to 30 emerging Fijian agribusinesses. She noted that agricultural innovation in Fiji is often grounded in accessible, locally adapted solutions that improve production efficiency and rural livelihoods.
EU Ambassador to the Pacific, Her Excellency Barbara Plinkert, reaffirmed the EU’s long-standing commitment to supporting Fiji’s agri-food systems. She highlighted the Competition as a concrete outcome of STODAS and emphasised the importance of coordinated investment in MSMEs.
“The European Union is proud to support stronger domestic value chains, improved resilience and new opportunities for Fiji’s agri-MSMEs,” said Ambassador Plinkert.
Across the two-day programme, finalists will pitch innovations in climate-smart production, digital agriculture, circular farming and value-added processing. Partners agreed that the Fiji Agri-Innovate Competition provides a strong foundation for long-term collaboration and investment that will support national resilience and rural prosperity.