FIJI GRAZING & LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION

Beef is a high-quality source of protein and is high in demand throughout the world. The beef industry in Fiji has gradually developed since the first cattle landed in the 1830s. Fijians entered the smaller holder commercial cattle operations in 1962 with the setting up of the Verata Beef Scheme. Later on in 1967, this same concept was adopted at the Tilivalevu Beef Scheme, Waidina, Wainibuka, Namosi, Ra, and in Vanua Levu.
In trying to improve the breed of beef cattle in Fiji, the Brahmin cattle breed was introduced to the country in the 1900s. then came the Santa Gertrudis in 1954 and later on the Angus and Hereford. This followed the importation of some dairy breeds like the Fresian, Jersey, and Shorthorns to improve the breeds of dairy cattle in Fiji.

There is a need to increase local production and improve quality to meet the beef demand in Fiji. As part of the continuing effort to improve the genetics of beef cattle in Fiji, the Ministry of Agriculture through Embryo Transfer Technology delivered the first-ever Wagyu Beef breed offspring. The Wagyu beef meets the quality standard required by hotel guests. It has the taste and texture, beef cuts are of superior quality, and excellent marbling characteristics which adds
quality flavor to taste in either steak, barbeque, or cooked with anything. Fiji has the potential to increase beef exports, which will decrease over-reliance on tourism for income.

Commercial dairy farming began about 1910 and the dairy industry gained momentum in 1920 after the returned servicemen from World War 1 were provided with land under the Tailevu Dairy Scheme. These farmers established the first butter factory at Waila, Nausori. Value addition of dairy products also began after the establishment of the factory. Dairying hasn’t been an organized farming activity in the past, however, it has played an important role in improving rural household incomes. The positive returns have encouraged smallholder farmers to venture into the dairy industry, causing an increase in dairy farmers over
the years.

Dairy production is categorized into two sectors – the formal sector and the informal sector. Farmers supplying milk to the Fiji Rewa Dairy make up the formal sector while the others are categorized as informal. There are 200 dairy farmers in the country with just 11 large commercial farms.
The national consumption of milk is approximately 80 million litres per annum. 20 million litres are produced domestically, with approximately 10 million litres coming from the commercial sector and 10 million litres from the informal sector. 60 million litres of milk are imported annually to meet the local demand.
The high local demand for milk indicated the significant potential for growth within the dairy industry in Fiji. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of cattle to Tuberculosis, still, there was a continuous improvement in both milk production and farm
performance.

Small ruminants (goats and sheep) are perceived by many to be ideal livestock for young, poor, marginalized, and female farmers. It is because they are easily handled, requires relatively low investment, and produce quick income due to their prolificacy and fast maturation. Fiji has the largest small ruminant population in the Pacific with 24,000 farmers rearing goats and 17,500 sheep (Pacific Community 2008; FAO).

With the strong market demand for small ruminants, Fiji has the opportunity to increase productivity, increase market participation and improve the livelihoods of smallholders. The demand for small ruminant meat, carcasses, and live animals in Fiji and the Pacific offers an opportunity for sustainable development across the value chain.

The Fiji Grazing Livestock Association was formed in 2019 by the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council. The FSGA was officially registered on the 7th of July 2020 with the Registrar of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations to represent the grazing livestock farmers around Fiji, especially those (women and youths) that have a passion for rearing small and large ruminants to: –
• Enhance income efforts to improve family livelihood and socio-economic status, and alleviate poverty;
• Provide capacity building in areas such as good animal husbandry practices (beef, dairy, goat, and sheep), and financial training;
• Improve the farmer’s ability to enable them to use digital and Traceable Farm applications;
• Be in compliance with the governance and policies binding the association;
• Be in compliance with trade and biosecurity policies;
• Negotiate all matters relating to the promotion and development of the FGLFA;
• Promote, protect, and maintain just and proper treatment of the FGLFA members;
• Promote the best environmental practices for rearing grazing livestock, protect biodiversity and climate resilience;
• Represent the interest of the members of the Fiji Grazing Livestock Farmers Association to the Government; and
• Take into consideration the development of technical innovation for the grazing livestock commodity.

Our Vision
Quality producers of milk, beef, mutton, lamb, and chevon for resilience, sustainability, and
marketability.

Our Mission
To improve the practical knowledge of all grazing livestock farmers on animal health and
production, good husbandry practices, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land management
for improving economic opportunities, resilience, sustainability, and food and nutrition security.

Our Values

 • Passion
• Ecological sustainability
• Gender equality and equity
• Quality assurance and consistency
• Bio-ethics

Achievements so far

✓ Workshops and training for registered grazing livestock members on Tuberculosis and Brucellosis;
✓ Registration drive and registration for additional members from the Naitasiri, Tailevu, Rewa, Dreketi, and Taveuni; and
✓ Establishment of a “Viber” platform by the FSLC for networking and communication amongst the member.

Objectives:
✓ Building sustainable farmer numbers (beef, dairy, sheep; goat) who have a high level of community support good for farm system analysis, personal goals, medium-term goals, and development goals;
✓ To improve income efforts of livestock farmers to improve family livelihood;
✓ To provide for capacity building in areas such as good animal practices for beef, dairy, sheep, and financial training (Cigar-Box concept);
✓ To improve our ability to enable farmers to use digital and Traceable Farm applications;

✓ To effectively monitor and evaluate beneficiaries and farmers consistently;
✓ To be compliance with the governance and policies binding the association;
✓ Increase quality milk and meat production for the local and export market;
✓ Take action in combating climate change and its impacts through the adoption of organic farming, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable resource management;
✓ Achieve gender equality and empower women and youths with the right knowledge and skills in the husbandry practices and Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) of rearing grazing livestock animals;
✓ Assist in securing and provision of quality breeds of animals to the farmers through collaboration with the MOA – Animal Health & Production Section;
✓ Help establish a Public-Private-Producers Partnership (4 P’s) for the members of the Fiji Grazing Livestock Farmers and Marketing Association;
✓ Improve and sustain Food and Nutrition Security for all Fijians;
✓ Be compliant with the Fiji Grazing Livestock Farmers and Marketing Association’s Governance and Policies;
✓ Be compliant with the Trade Policies and Biosecurity Authority of Fiji Policies;
✓ Increase the marketable of grazing livestock products and increase the percentage of export for nation-building, poverty alleviation, and livelihood improvement;
✓ Promote fairness, transparency, and accountability;

Strategies:
• Plan formulation of community/group discussion on farm systems and the development of farm personal goals;
• Capacity building through workshops and pieces of training;
• Alleviate poverty;
• Monitoring and evaluation strategy on farm systems;
• Assisting grazing livestock farmers (men, women, and youths) to increase production;
• Seek assistance from the AH&P Section of the MOA and NGOs with funding for training, workshops, farm materials building materials, and improvement of breed species for the grazing livestock farmers through artificial insemination program;
• Better understanding and compliant with the Policies of the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and Trade Policies; and
• Better understanding of climate change and its effects on the grazing livestock industry;
• Registration of members during farm visits, training, and workshops;
• Provide technical and advisory support services to the satisfaction of the members;
• Conducting awareness programs;

• Compliance with the governance and policies associated with the association.
• Provide quality seeds and seedlings to the present and new farmers.
• Be mindful of gender equality and be inclusive at all times.
• Seek technical assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture in climate-smart agricultural techniques, sustainable land management (SLM) practices, organic farming, and organic certification.
• Seek assistance from the government or Ministry of Agriculture in securing fixed markets locally and overseas.

Action
• To conduct workshops and training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), climate- smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and resilience;
• To conduct and carry out awareness and advocacy programs for the present and new members;
• To upskill and empower women, youths, and men with technical knowledge and skills in husbandry practices on grazing livestock production, pasture improvement, silage production, medicated blocks (urea blocks);
• Conduct farm visits and registration of new members;
• To establish a network amongst the grazing livestock farmers and other stakeholders;
• Organize members with the provision of quality and prolific breeds of ruminants (large and small);
• Empowering and upskilling women, youths, and men with technical knowledge and skills in grazing livestock production;
• Have meetings with the MOA Officials in securing fixed markets and assistance for grazing livestock farmers;
• Negotiate with buyers for a reasonable price;
• Work with MOA AH&P Research Section for the provision of quality and prolific breeds of ruminants.

Membership

The membership is open to any farmer who is currently raising large and small ruminants and those farmers who are interested in beginning a livestock (large or small ruminant) farm. The Entrance fee for members of the Association shall be $50.00 and the Subscription shall be $20.00 annually. The entrance fee and the subscription fee are non-refundable.
Members who are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears of subscription shall not be entitled to any Association benefits, nor will they be permitted to vote at any Association’s meeting. Members whose subscriptions are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears shall cease to be a member of the Association.
All intending new members have to apply by paying the Entry and Subscription fee and filling out the FCLC Registration Form. The Registration Form can be obtained online or from the FCLC Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Level 2 Hugh Robinson Complex, Grantham Road, Raiwaqa, Suva.