Fiji Agriculture and Fishing Overview

Agriculture and fishing

Nearly 70 percent of Fijians are estimated to be dependent on agriculture or fishing, but most of them grow for their own use. Sugar is the most important export commodity from agriculture.

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The right to own land (vanua) is central to the indigenous people. Since 1874 most of the land has been reserved for the Fijian clans and is ultimately controlled by the clan chiefs. Fijier owns about 88 percent of the land and the state about 4 percent. However, most of the sugar cane which is the country’s most important export crop is grown by Indian tenant farmers.

The sugar occupies half of the arable land and for a long time accounted for about 80 percent of agricultural production. However, the sugar industry has long been in crisis and production has fallen sharply. The industry is considered outdated and poorly managed. For Fiji defense and foreign policy, please check themotorcyclers.

Other important export crops are coconuts and ginger. More and more honey is produced. We have also started investing in edible seaweed cultivation, mainly for exports to China and the Philippines. Rice, fruits and vegetables are grown for their own consumption. Many also keep cows, chickens and goats.

Nearly two-thirds of Fiji is covered by forest. The original forest that remains remains essentially untouched. The forest industry is based on planted forests of, among others, Caribbean pine, mahogany and teak. Especially wood chips are sold abroad.

Modern fishing and fish farming are also industries of growing importance. Fiji also sells fishing licenses to foreign vessels.

FACTS – AGRICULTURE

Agriculture’s share of GDP

10.4 percent (2018)

Percentage of land used for agriculture

23.3 percent (2016)

Fiji Agriculture and Fishing