The Honourable Esrom Immanuel, Minister for Finance, today joined BAT Fiji, the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers to celebrate the Grow+ Programme reaching its 1 million seedling milestones.
Speaking at the distribution event, the Minister described the achievement as a testament to strong public-private partnership and the dedication of Fiji’s farmers.
“Approximately 30,000 lives have already been positively impacted by this initiative, and its ripple effects across rural communities continue to grow,” Minister Immanuel said.
Since its launch in 2021, Grow+ has become one of Fiji’s largest seedling distribution programmes. Export-approved seeds from the Sigatoka Research Station are cultivated in BAT Fiji’s modern greenhouses, ensuring farmers receive strong and resilient seedlings, including eggplant, chilli, and tomato varieties ready for transplanting.
For the 2025–2026 financial year, the partnership between BAT Fiji and the Ministry of Agriculture will deliver 1 million vegetable seedlings to farmers in the Western and Central divisions — doubling the 0.5 million seedlings supplied in 2023–2024.
“Tourism drives growth in good times, but agriculture sustains us in all times,” he stated. “With stronger investment and continued collaboration between government and industry, agriculture will remain central to Fiji’s resilience and long-term development.”
The Minister congratulated BAT Fiji, the Ministry of Agriculture and all participating farmers for reaching the significant milestone.
