FOOD FOR FORCES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 106, 6 May 1944, Page 7

FOOD FOR FORCES

PRODUCTION IN FIJI FRUIT AND VEGETABLES (0.C.) SUVA, April 26. Fijian farmers supplied fresh fruit and vegetables to the value of £90,000 to the military forces during 1943. Most of this came from the Fijian Co-operative Association at Nausori, which has just concluded its fifth year of operations. This native association has done splendidly under the general supervision of Mr. B. E. V. Parham, the Agricultural Officer of the district, and the natives have been exempted from communal duties in order to devote themselves to this task.

Before the war Fijians confined themselves to raising vegetables for their own consumption only, and these comprised almost entirely root vegetables such as yams, taro 'and tapioca used by the natives. They are now growing all kinds of vegetables, which have been distributed through the Department of Agriculture to the forces, hospitals, and for civilian use.

The Agricultural Officer in the western district is endeavouring to arrange for a market in Lautoka, to take advantage of the growers' interest in this work, and to this end it is desired that local marketing facilities should be improved. The Department of Agriculture affords a valuable channel through which the Fijians can market their produce, and it is desirable that other co-operative societies be formed on the lines of the one at Nausori for the benefit of the natives and the public generally. There is every probability that the demand in New Zealand for tropical fruits and vegetables may be increased, particularly if greater economy in marketing and handling can be attained.