The President of the Fiji Women's Mushroom Association and a successful dairy and mushroom farmer from Naitasiri, Seruwaia Kabukabu, is urging the government to offer financial assistance for farmer growth, sustainability, and training in mushroom farming which will lower the importation of mushrooms.
Kabukabu says it is difficult to keep the farm sustainable because the weather is not really helping them. She says farmers had to contend with soaring production costs and worsening weather that prevents them in their collection efforts. According to her, Fiji imports 124 metric tons of mushrooms per year, worth $0.9 million.
She says there is an existing demand for mushrooms within the local markets, namely restaurants, supermarkets, and hotels within the tourism sector. She adds fresh mushrooms are sold for $12.00 and $25.00 per kilogram.
Kabukabu urges the government to support local mushroom farmers and this will be favorable for our local producers.
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