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A team from Aitken Spence PLC, a prominent Sri Lankan conglomerate, through its subsidiary Elpitiya Plantations’ explored potential business ventures within the agricultural sector during their recent visit to Fiji.

The four-day visit by the Aitken Spence is a testament to the company’s dedication to leveraging its extensive expertise in agriculture to foster new business ventures in Fiji.

The visit was arranged through the support of Investment Fiji, the Commercial Agriculture Taskforce, Ministry of Trade, and Cooperatives, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

During their stay, the Aitken Spence delegation engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders, including Government ministries, food processing facilities, distributors, and local farmers.

Aitken Spence PLC Board Director Dr. Rohan Fernando stated these interactions provided critical insights and facilitated meaningful discussions aimed at identifying and developing viable agricultural opportunities in Fiji.

Dr. Fernando says Fiji presents a wealth of opportunities for commercial farming, particularly in sectors such as papaya, pineapples, dragon fruits, berries, coffee, tea, mangoes, cinnamon, lime, and passion fruit.

The visit included productive site inspections and meetings with various local stakeholders.

Notable engagements included discussions with Nature’s Way Cooperative and Jack’s Mango Farm, where potential opportunities for mango and strawberry cultivation were explored.

Additionally, meetings with Ranadi Plantation and Bula Coffee opened avenues for future partnerships in plantation agriculture and coffee cultivation.

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Aitken Spence’s commitment to introducing cutting-edge agricultural technologies and exploring renewable energy solutions is expected to significantly enhance Fiji’s agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Investment Fiji Chief Executive, Kamal Chetty says the fruitful engagement aligns seamlessly with their vision for sustainable economic growth.

Chetty says they are excited about the potential benefits this partnership will bring to Fiji’s agricultural sector and the broader economy.

Aitken Spence now prepares for subsequent visits to conduct a more detailed analysis.

The anticipated investment in Fiji is expected to reduce Fiji’s reliance on imported agricultural products and open new export markets.