Emerging Voices in ICT and agriculture - CTA Publishing

TACKLING INFORMATION POVERTY IN FIJI
Riten Chand Gosai, Fiji, Pacific
It is a common fact that people
prefer the so- called luxurious life
and are slowly moving to urban centres,
leaving behind a declining rural
population where majority farming
takes place. Hence the onus is on the
youth to avoid succumbing to the
age-old stereotype that agriculture
is hard labour and not a reputable
profession and a white collar job is
a preferred career choice.
I graduated in December 2010 as University of the
South Pacific’s gold medallist and best graduate
2010 in the Bachelor of Agriculture programme.
Until recently, my life has been mostly centred on
the sugarcane farms of rural Nadi, located in
Western Fiji. Along the way, I have spent 13 academic
years at Mulomulo primary and secondary
schools. Of all the careers I could have pursued
as a science student; fate linked me to my roots.
Perhaps the vitality of agriculture to the Pacific
region and the world really convinced me to
endorse this field as a top priority; where my
utmost interest and dedication lies. Currently I
am working for the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji
and advocating for youth to adopt agriculture
via CTA’s ARDYIS project. It has been the first
ever project (of its kind) that I have been
involved with...
My favorite quote: “Man despite his historic pretensions,
his sophistication and art, owes the
fact of his existence to a 6-inch layer of topsoil
and the fact that it rains”… Anonymous
Favourite website:
http://www.facebook.com/agrifiji – my initiative
and commitment to spread the gospel and
attract youth to agriculture.
Essay summary
Agriculture continues to be the bedrock of the
Fijian economy, accounting for 14% of the country’s
GDP and two-thirds of its almost 320,000 strong
workforce. However, with a drastic decline in sugar
cultivation and production, the agricultural focus has
now shifted towards diversifying into high-value cash
crops for the domestic market, as well as tourism
and exports. Information poverty continues to be
one of the main obstacles to more modern, marketoriented
farming practices in Fiji, whose 330 islands
are scattered over 1.3 million square kilometres.
Farmers are isolated, from each other, and from
information and markets that could help them earn
better incomes. As a result, they are reluctant to
commercialise production. Most of Fiji’s 86,680 rural
households – 54% of the population – are engaged
in subsistence agricultural or fishing activities.
| 28 Emerging Voices in ICT and agriculture | PART 2