How Fiji Is Solving The Food

Problem

APART from the Europeans in Fiji, there are nearly 100,000 Fijians and not far short of 90.000 Indians; and these large communities consume a lot of food. In past years, considerable quantities were imported.

Ever since the outbreak of war, the Government has been appealing for an ever-greater effort in the local pro duction of foodstuffs, and considerable success has been achieved, despite drought conditions.

The position is surveyed in the last issue of the “Fiji Agricultural Journal” by Mr. C. Harvey, B.Sc.; and he sum marises the steps taken and being taken to meet the war time shortage of rice, potatoes and sharps. Sharps cannot be grown in Fiji, but the Indians are doing an increasing amount with maize, and in the western districts they are using half sharps and half maize. Bread being sold in Sigatoka carries 25 per cent, maize meal.

Potatoes can be grown only for a short period in one or two suitable localities. Fiji now must rely more on yams, kumeras, tapioca and dalo. Says Mr. Harvey:—

Increase In Rice Growing

PRIOR to the war the Colony was producing an estimated total of 12 000 tons of rice per annum, a large propor tion of which was consumed by the growers themselves.

Imports varied from 2,000 to 3.000 tons according to season.

Efforts to extend plantings were made during 1940 and 1941 but these were nullified by unduly dry weather.

“After a bad start, with a drought in December and January, the present season gives promise of a record crop, and it seems probable that Fiji will this season approach nearer to self-sufficiency in rice than at any previous time.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of farmers (Indians) growing rice, largely due to the action of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company Limited in permitting all their tenants who have no access to other rice land to plant up to one acre of rice on their cane fallows.

“Many other farmers who have not previously grown rice and many Indians employed in townships or outside who have been able to secure suitable land, have this year prepared land for this crop.

“There has been a large demand for seed; all regular growers made use of their own seed, but the Government has supplied over 21 tons to new growers, principally to CSR tenants through the company’s mill managers, while many other newcomers to rice-planting have been able to secure seed from their neighbours.

“The number of Fijians growing rice has also increased, and this portion of the crop will be wholly available for the local market, as consumption of rice by Fijians in country districts is very small.

More Root Crops

“¥>LANTINGS by Fijians, especially, of the common root Ml crops (dalo, kumalas and tapioca) have greatly increased since the outbreak of war, and many more Europeans and Indians now have small plots of these crops. However, the demand has recently overtaken even the increased supply, firstly by reason of the greatly increased non-producing popu lation engaged on military duties or defence works, and latterly because of the lack of imported potatoes and the shortage of rice . . .

“There are welcome signs that the temporary shortage of rice and sharps has impelled Indian farmers to give more attention to the planting of kumalas and tapioca. Though these foodstuffs are less palatable to Indians than rice and sharps, they nevertheless form a useful and easily grown reserve of bulk food, available throughout the year.

“Recommendations are, therefore, in brief, that all Fijians should continue to plant up dalo, kumalas and tapioca suffi cient for their own needs, and that those conveniently situated for transport to a market should plant up each < month half a chain to a chain of kumalas and dalo, particularly, for sale. They should in addition increase their seasonal plantings of yams, when the time comes; although more laborious than kumalas and dalo in planting and digging, this crop is particularly useful and profitable, as it can be stored for a considerable time, and it fetches higher prices in Suva than the other root crops.

“Indian farmers should maintain regular plantings of kumalas and tapioca, say one quarter to a half chain monthly, for their own consumption and for sale. They should, of course, plant up as much rice as possible, in season, and should also plant maize, dhall and chillies for home consumption and sale. Europeans with available land would be well advised to maintain sufficient plantings of the root crops for their own use.”