Fiji's food self-sufficiency policy with special reference to rice production

Abstract

The study first looks at Fiji’s relatively high propensity to import in the context of a marginal micro-economy existing in a tenuous and dependent relationship with the metropolitan powers. The food components of Fiji’s imports are particularly highlighted. Evidence presented seems to indicate a prima facie case for a Food self-sufficiency Policy particularly as it relates to rice. Certain hypothesis and impressions based on empirical observations are derived for further analyses. For these analyses to be seen in proper perspectives, the study then discusses Fiji’s rice production and marketing system and highlights such aspects as the subsistence orientation of most rice growers, areal distribution, rice irrigation, nutritional and employment aspects, etc. Having done this, the study then focuses on the oft-quoted rice and sugar cane competitiveness and attempts at substantiating this assertion. Furthermore, it also focuses on the various factors that have contributed to increased rice imports. Having discussed both the supply and demand aspects of rice, the study then attempts at estimating the supply and demand trends for rice and projecting these forward to 1985, ceteris paribus. The diverging supply and demand trends indicate that the various policies designed to achieve self-sufficiency in rice have not been effective. In analysing these policies as a package, it is concluded that it is not their design which is at fault but rather their co-ordination, organization, and a lack of any appraisal mechanism. Show more