1. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Proven survey reported that 85% of participants did not consume five serves of vegetables and fruits per day, as it is recommended.

Overall, NCDs are estimated to cause 84% of all deaths in Fiji. According to the Economic Burden Report Fiji, 2018, the country loses FJD 406 million (almost 200 million USD) per year due to this problem.

Fiji is changing its dietary pattern over the years, as dietary intake studies showed that more people are shifting away from the traditional root crops to a more cereal-based diet with high dependence on food imports.

2. Blue Food

The main focus of the presentation was on Aquaculture Projects, with

There is huge potential in Blue Food in Fiji.  Aquaculture projects is currently spread out in the four divisions in Fiji, involving 470 farmers and 815 ponds.

The main initiatives include the Aquaculture Project (tilapia farming and freshwater prawn farming), the Freshwater Aquaculture Development Programme (tilapia farming and freshwater prawn farming), the Brackish Water Development Programme (shrimp farming and sandfish farming), and the Mariculture Development Programme (giant clam farming, seaweed farming and edible oyster farming).

Limitations identified for this work include the delay in the endorsement of the National Fisheries Policy and Fiji Policy on Food and Nutrition Security.

3. Green Food

The situation analysis revealed that dietary patterns have changed and moved away from traditional root crops to a more cereal-based diet (imported foods), less consumption of vegetables and fruits. A recent study found that most food outlets within school environment selling sugar sweetened beverages and high availability of sweet and salty snacks in school canteens. Different studies show most farmers in Fiji indicated that COVID-19 restrictions adversely impacted their capacity to produce and sell crops while market vendors reported that they made less money as a result of COVID-19.

The home gardening expected outcome include COVID-19 reiterates our national vision for agriculture i.e “Every Fijian has access to adequate food of acceptable quality and nutritional value”. This is a reminder to be food and nutritional secure. Other outcomes are Access to nutritious and healthy foods and reduce reliance on food imports. In Fiji there are 87,359 farmers and 71,173 farming households.

Home gardening initiative targeting people in both urban and rural areas in all divisions with the main focus to provide food security, showed a total of 52,006 nationwide were assisted with home gardening seed packs in 2020 including those affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa.