A farmer harvesting rice using the new combine harvester. Picture: SUPPLIED/FIJI GOVT

Some 500 rice farmers who supply rice paddy to Fiji Rice Ltd stand to benefit from the ‘historic’ price review announced by Prime Minister and Minister for Public Enterprise Sitiveni Rabuka.

Those farmers are expected to supply more than 2000 tons of rice paddy in the coming season.

Fiji Rice Ltd chairman Raj Sharma said the revised price for grade 1 had increased from $850 to $1000 a tonne, and grade 2 from $750 to $800 a ton.

He said that was the highest price paid to the rice farmers.

Mr Sharma said there was a shortage of brown rice as the demand had increased.

He added the announcement was very timely because “it is peak time for planting”.

Mr Rabuka had said food security and import bill reduction were very important.

He said the Government was committed to revitalising not only the rice industry but other agriculture sectors with huge potentials.

Published Date: December 24, 2023