India and Fiji have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding agricultural cooperation, with both countries looking to build on a five-year partnership that spans agricultural research, technology transfer, capacity building, mechanization and market access.
Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta paid a courtesy visit to Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna to discuss matters of mutual interest and explore opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural development, innovation, capacity building and knowledge sharing.
Tunabuna acknowledged India's longstanding support for Fiji's agricultural sector and welcomed continued collaboration to strengthen food security, improve farmers' livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural development.
The meeting comes as the two countries continue implementing the India-Fiji Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Agriculture and Allied Sectors, signed in June 2021, which established a framework for collaboration across agricultural research, technology transfer, infrastructure development, training, investment and agricultural trade.
The agreement covers cooperation in a broad range of areas, including dairy and coconut industry development, rice production, root crop diversification, horticulture, food processing, water resources management, agricultural mechanization, animal husbandry, pest and disease management, post-harvest processing, breeding and agronomy. It also promotes joint ventures between private companies, investment in agricultural value addition and downstream processing, and direct trade in agricultural products.
A key feature of the agreement is the establishment of an Indo-Fiji Joint Working Group, tasked with identifying priority projects, coordinating implementation and addressing phytosanitary issues that affect agricultural trade. The group meets alternately in India and Fiji to recommend new areas of cooperation.
Agriculture has also become a key pillar of broader India-Fiji relations. During Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's official visit to India in August 2025, the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in agriculture, agro-processing, trade and investment, while signing a memorandum of understanding between India's National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Fiji Development Bank to strengthen rural financing. India also announced assistance for mobile soil testing laboratories and agricultural drones to support Fiji's sugar industry and improve farm productivity.
Both governments said they remained committed to deepening the longstanding relationship between India and Fiji, underscoring the role of agricultural cooperation in supporting food security, climate resilience and sustainable rural development in the Pacific.
