Figures
p. 31 · Read in the full issue
Fiji Grows Own
Food
Remarkable Production Figures
IN an article in the March issue of the Fiji “Agricultural Journal,” Mr. H. W.
Jack discusses the supply of fresh food in Colony, and gives some in teresting figures to show how food pro duction has increased since the outbreak of war.
The Government and the Governor of Fiji have repeatedly stressed the import ance of home-grown food in Fiji’s war ef fort, so that “not one ton of shipping nor the life of one sailor shall needlessly be imperilled to bring us the necessities of life.”
The Department of Agriculture made this its guiding principle from the be ginning of the war, with the result that the production of fruit and vegetables, supplied to the military forces alone, has grown from practically nothing in the fourth quarter of 1939 to over three and a half million pounds, valued at £22.893, in the last quarter of 1942. The produc tion of eggs in the Western Division has increased from 145 dozen in the last quarter of 1940 to 2,611 dozen in the third Quarter of 1942 —the price remaining at 2 6 per dozen.
The Fijians produced about 90 per cent, of the fruit and about GO per cent, of the vegetables in the Western Division, and in the Eastern Division about 90 ner cent, of the fruit and 50 per cent, of the vege tables; the Chinese produced most of those vegetables which can be designated as European vegetables. The Indians are substantial producers in the Western Division.
In 1942 the total quantity of fruit and
vegetables delivered to the armed forces amounted to 10,520,463 lb., valued at £65,753, to which must be added £2,760 for firewood supplied through the Depart ment, making a grand total for the year of £68,513.
Of this amount, it is estimated that the Fijian producers received 55 per cent., the Chinese 30 per cent, and the Indians and others 15 per cent. The Fijian market at Nausori supplied 2,959,763 lb., valued at £23,030 for the year (including firewood).
A recent survey of small Indian farmers shows that over 95 per cent, of them planted half an acre of rice for each member of their families. Rice imports for 1942 were 1,422 tons, compared with 2,169 tons for 1941, and present indications are that even greater production of home grown rice can be expected in 1943.
In regard to fresh beef supplies, a census of cattle taken in 1941 indicated that there were 84,000 cattle in the Colony.
As the estimated slaughter for the civi lian population is at present 9,000 head per annum, it would appear that the supply is sufficient for civilian needs, though the easily accessible sources of supply have been depleted. The slaughter of cattle has been reduced by 10 per cent, compared with the average for May to October. It is hoped, also, to catch a substantial number of wild cattle during 1943, and this will help the meat situa tion materially.
Improved copra and coconut charcoal prices have stimulated the copra produc tion effort, but this has been offset by labour shortages, and therefore the pro duction of this valuable wartime com modity did not improve during 1942. The hurricane which recently swept some dis tricts has also proved detrimental to copra production.
The dairying industry has also been adversely affected by the diversion of labour to the Labour Corps and the Fiji
military forces, and butter manufacture is likely to decline.
In conclusion, the report states, with truth, that, despite increased costs and other inconveniences, Fiji has been for tunate in comparison with other parts of the Empire in the matter of food supplies.