Fiji launches Agribusiness Incubation Center with European Union support

The ABI is funded by the European Union through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ (FAO) Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Samoa (STODAS) project. The initiative is a key collaboration between the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, and FAO. The center aims to promote sustainable agricultural growth and boost self-reliance and food security.

The official launch ceremony was held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Head Office. It was jointly officiated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Hon. Tomasi Tunabuna, and the Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, H.E. Ms. Barbara Plinkert.

“Highlighting the Center’s critical role, Hon. DPM emphasised its impact on value addition, resilience, and advancing Fiji's vision for an export-driven, climate-smart, and diversified agriculture industry.

“This initiative demonstrates our unwavering commitment to strengthening food security, empowering farmers—especially women and youth—and unlocking new growth opportunities through agribusiness. The ABI Center will be a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and the nurturing of the next generation of Agripreneurs in Fiji,” said Hon. DPM.

Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Hon. Tomasi Tunabuna, affirmed that the Center is a timely investment aligned with the Government’s efforts to modernize agriculture and foster sustainable rural development.

“The Agribusiness Incubation Center equips farmers and agripreneurs not only with advanced farming skills but also with the business acumen necessary for success. It bridges the critical gap between farm production and market access, thereby increasing income opportunities while advocating for sustainable practices,” Hon. Minister added. 

In her remarks, the Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, H.E. Ms. Barbara Plinkert said that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the critical importance of agriculture to our lives and domestic economy.

“The European Union is proud to support Fiji’s Agribusiness Incubation Centre through our Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems in Fiji, Samoa, and Solomon Islands project, which is working together to strengthen policy and institutional environments, enhance domestic crop and livestock production, and promote rural agribusiness and private sector development.”

“With our Global Gateway Strategy, we aim to mobilise significant investments in key areas such as infrastructure, human development, and digitalisation, and create new opportunities for businesses and communities to thrive.”

“Let us work together to turn agricultural potential into real economic opportunities for Pacific agri-entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities,” concluded Plinkert.

The establishment of this Center is the result of a robust partnership between the Government of Fiji, the European Union, FAO, and key industry stakeholders. This collaboration ensures alignment with Fiji’s National Development Plan, which prioritises productivity enhancement, value chain strengthening, and positioning agriculture as a cornerstone of sustainable growth.

"FAO is pleased to technically support the establishment of the third agribusiness incubator under the EUR10 million STODAS project, this time in Fiji. The others are in Samoa and Solomon Islands,” said Joann Young, Assistant Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Fiji. 

She also appreciated the kind funding from the European Union for this agribusiness incubator, which will support Fijian youth, women, and other scalable agribusiness entrepreneurs to grow.  

"When entrepreneurs grow, they will be transformational in addressing food and nutrition security in the Pacific,” Young added. 

The Agribusiness Incubation Centre is now open and ready to provide services to entrepreneurs, co-operatives, and MSMEs across Fiji, heralding a new chapter of growth and sustainability for Fiji’s agribusiness landscape.

ENDS

Media Contact:
European Union Delegation to the Pacific 
Mohammed Nazeem Kasim, EU Press and Information Officer on email: Mohammed-Nazeem.KASIM@eeas.europa.eu or +679 3313 633 (110)

Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications 
MSME Fiji Unit on email: support@msme.mcttt.gov.fj or +679 9986014 (Viber) or 163 

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Priya Chand, Communications Specialist, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Samoa (STODAS) Project on email: priya.chand@fao.org or +679 8300010