Ministry encourages increased yield

THERE has been a call to grow more food as imports for certain fresh produce decrease. And the Ministry of Primary Industries says the Fiji Quarantine Inspection Services Department has temporarily banned the imports of tomatoes, capsicum and potatoes. The ministry revealed there was an increase of 21.42 per cent in tomato imports last year compared to 2006. There was a 24.68 per cent decline in capsicum imports. Figures show 1328.9 tonnes of tomatoes valued at $2,025,540 were imported last year while 1094.5 tonnes valued at $1,869,261 was imported in 2006. Last year 184.3 tonnes of capsicum valued at $728,517 was imported compared to 244.7 tonnes valued at $991,695 in 2006. The ministry said Fiji last year imported 20269.5 tonnes of potatoes at $17,804,710. This was a drop of 5.95 per cent from the 21551.9 tonnes and... [read full story]