STORY: China's agricultural expertise fuels prospects for rice self-sufficiency in Fiji
SHOOTING TIME: March 13, 2024
DATELINE: March 19, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:06
LOCATION: Suva
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Fijian farmers working with experts of China-Aid Agricultural Development Project in Fiji
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CHEN HUAZAO, Team leader of China-Aid Agricultural Development Project in Fiji
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WU MINGKUI, Seed breeding expert of China-Aid Agricultural Development Project in Fiji
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): TEKINI NAKIDAKIDA, Deputy secretary for Agriculture Development, Fijian Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways

STORYLINE:

Rice has been cultivated for many decades in Fiji, serving as a major source of food for its population.

However, the country's rice industry has faced challenges in recent years, marked by a decline in both lands and production, mainly due to traditional farming practices, labor shortage and the impacts of climate change.

Fiji produces less than 20 percent of its rice consumption needs, with over 80 percent being imported, said Tekini Nakidakida, deputy secretary for Agriculture Development of Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways.
   
To achieve rice self-sufficiency, the Fiji government has launched the "We Rice Up" initiative, aiming to increase the production and productivity of rice crops in the country.

Since 2015, China has carried out three phases of agricultural aid projects to help enhance rice production in Fiji.

During the first two phases, China's agricultural team rejuvenated five local rice varieties, introduced 16 rice varieties, provided machinery for mechanized rice cultivation, and trained over 2,500 local farmers in high-yield cultivation techniques.

Chen Huazao, team leader of the China-Aid Agricultural Development Project on rice planting in Fiji, is engaged in the third phase, during which China will introduce 26 rice varieties, rejuvenate 10 local rice varieties, and cultivate model farmers.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CHEN HUAZAO, Team leader of China-Aid Agricultural Development Project in Fiji
"We visited local farmers, consulted many Fijian agriculture officials and conducted on-site investigations of the paddy fields to learn about the rice cultivation situation. We found that their cultivation methods are relatively extensive, mainly relying on broadcast sowing, and their management techniques are lagging. Therefore, the yield is relatively low."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WU MINGKUI, Seed breeding expert of China-Aid Agricultural Development Project in Fiji
"Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways wants us to help build a demonstration village that learns from the Chinese model. The rice cultivation of the village will feature pre-production seed cultivation, optimized production management, and whole-process mechanization to help locals get rid of poverty."

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): TEKINI NAKIDAKIDA, Deputy secretary for Agriculture Development, Fijian Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways
"China's knowledge and experience in rice production, that is something that Fiji can learn from. We can say that the performance of the Chinese team in Fiji has been really great. We are working together with rice team from China. I think Fiji's self-sufficiency can be realized."

The flourishing China-Fiji agricultural cooperation epitomizes China's unremitting efforts to help achieve sustainable development in Pacific island countries (PICs) by launching multiple agricultural technical assistance projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Through these projects, China has helped PICs improve agricultural production capacity and food security.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Suva.
(XHTV)