The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) is expanding support for the country's rice sector through its Rice Mobility Package, a financing facility designed to help farmers improve productivity, expand operations and strengthen Fiji's long-term food security.
The package provides financing for both existing and new rice farmers, enabling them to invest in land development, farm machinery, equipment, labour and other operational requirements needed to increase production and improve efficiency.
According to FDB, the initiative is designed to support mechanisation and mobility across the rice value chain while helping farmers transition from subsistence farming to more commercially viable operations.
The facility is available to individual farmers, joint ventures, cooperatives and companies involved in rice production. Financing can be used for agricultural land purchases, land development, machinery acquisition, seedling purchases, working capital and other farming-related activities.
FDB said the package is built around a value-chain financing model in partnership with Fiji Rice Limited, providing farmers with access to a secured market while helping reduce barriers that have historically limited access to finance in the sector.
The bank noted that one of the programme's key features is its ability to support farmers who may not hold formal land leases or land titles, provided they meet alternative eligibility requirements.
The Rice Mobility Package offers financing ranging from FJD5,000 to FJD250,000, with interest rates starting from 4.99 per cent per annum for eligible farmers. The facility is intended to support both new entrants and existing producers seeking to expand their operations and invest in productivity-enhancing equipment and technology.
FDB Chief Executive Officer Saud Minam previously said the package was developed to address longstanding barriers faced by rice farmers, including limited access to financing, equipment and secure market opportunities. The initiative also seeks to strengthen linkages across the agricultural value chain, benefiting suppliers, machinery operators, transport providers and other supporting businesses.
The financing programme forms part of broader efforts to reduce Fiji's reliance on imported rice and support greater domestic production. Fiji currently imports the majority of its rice requirements, with local production accounting for only a fraction of national demand.
FDB said the latest promotion of the Rice Mobility Package reflects its continued commitment to supporting agricultural development through practical financing solutions that improve productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods and contribute to national food security.
Established in 1967, the Fiji Development Bank operates 11 branches nationwide and provides financing for agriculture, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and commercial businesses. The bank also continues to promote Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) through its products, services and workforce initiatives.
