For Fiji’s
pp. 76-77 · Read in the full issue
Boost Planned For Fiji’s Banana Output
LACK of adequate publicity among the Fijian growers is listed as one of the causes of the decline in Fiji’s banana-export industry in the report of a committee set up by the Government to investigate the situation.
The committee was headed by Mr.
W. J. Lahore, former manager of the ANZ Bank at Suva.
Since the committee completed its inquiry last December the situation has apparently worsened, and ex ports nave repeatedly fallen short of the New Zealand quotas.
Summarised, the Committee’s findings were: • Availability of suitable land is no problem at present; • An undue amount of time and labour seems to be diverted to village communal work; • Generally the standard of plantations is extremely low. With a little effort in weeding, use of insecticides supplied, and fertilisers, crop yields could be quadrupled.
• Much time seemed to be wasted in transporting produce (e.g. by river when road transport existed). • There was great ignorance con cerning the quality of produce.
Growers often expressed surprise when badly moth-marked fruit of very poor appearance was brought to their attention. They appeared to see nothing wrong with the fruit. • There was a great lack of
adequate publicity from every point) of view.
THE Committee’s recommendations include: (1) A greatly boosted publicity effort to make the growers fully aware of their excellent oppor tunities and of the considerable New Zealand market that is ready to accept their fruit;
r (2) An Agriculture Department I drive to set up demonstration plantations in the main areas; and la move to eradicate scab moth; (3) The setting aside of certain I fixed times by the village heads f for labour on the banana plantings [ when the available labour and size f of planting that can be properly [ handled has been assessed.
The committee considered that a f target of 100 cases a grower per I annum should be aimed at.
This would involve two weeks a year, in October or November, for p renewal plantings; a week in each [ quarter for weeding and cleaning; one or preferably two half-days a I week to general care and culture; [all necessary time for packing and [transport (which would have to be I adjusted according to shipping
[ arrivals).
(4) These labour periods (except packing and transport) should be ! laid down well in advance by the [local Fijian authorities and strictly
[adhered to.
(5) Systems of communal or co operative transport should be de veloped. (6) Growers who exceed the target quotas should be allotted more time by the village authorities.
L Primary control of the in dustry should be left in the hands of the Fijian local authorities, but the Department of Agriculture should maintain overall supervision and consideration should be given also to the setting up of a produc tlon and marketing organisation which would be specifically charged with fostering and directing all aspects of the industry. (8) The possibility of the New Zealand importers paying an in centive bonus for hieh quality fruit should be investigated.