PS Shaheen Ali Opens 'Catalyzing Agrifood Syatem through Digitalisation'

The Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, MSME and Communications,

Mr. Shaheen Ali, today opened the "Catalyzing Agrifood Systems through Digitalisation" workshop, emphasizing the need for digital solutions to revolutionize Fiji's agriculture sector.

Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the workshop aims to refine and finalize Fiji’s National E-Agriculture Strategy, a key step towards modernizing agriculture through digital tools.

In his opening address, Mr. Ali highlighted that digital transformation is no longer a choice but a necessity for Fiji’s agricultural future.

"By leveraging digital tools, we can empower our farmers and agribusinesses to increase productivity, access global markets, and build resilience against challenges like climate change and limited resources," he said.

The workshop also featured a presentation from the Digital Government Transformation Office, which shared the Government’s ongoing efforts to support digitalisation.

The team discussed the upcoming National Digital Strategy and how it aligns with the e-Agriculture strategy, including the Data Exchange Platform, designed to streamline data sharing across government bodies.

The workshop is an important milestone in transforming Fiji’s agrifood systems into a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive sector.

With the help of digital tools, Fiji aims to tackle the agricultural challenges of today and the future, improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country.