Ministry Of Forestry Fiji

21/09/2026

21/09/2026

| FROM PLANS TO ACTION: FORESTRY LAUNCHES 2026–2027 OPERATIONAL PLAN 🌱🌳

Friday the 18th of September, The Ministry of Forestry has officially launched its Annual Costed Operational Plan (ACOP) 2026–2027, marking the beginning of a new financial year focused on implementation, accountability and measurable results.

The Plan was launched at the Grand Pacific Hotel by the Acting Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry, Mr Saimone Tauvoli, on behalf of the Honourable Minister for Forestry.

The ACOP provides the framework for turning the Ministry’s strategic priorities into practical programmes and activities, aligned with the National Development Plan 2025–2029 and the Ministry of Forestry Strategic Development Plan 2024–2030.

The Ministry enters the year with important progress already made, including the endorsement of the Forestry Act and Mahogany Act, strengthened support through the Green Climate Fund and Global Environment Facility, and continued work in reforestation, sustainable plantation management, REDD+, forest monitoring, research and support for resource owners and forest-based businesses.

For 2026–2027, the Ministry is targeting 180 hectares of reforestation, while continuing to strengthen sustainable forest management, compliance and enforcement, restoration and conservation, plantation forestry and opportunities for value addition.

The Ministry will also continue supporting the pine and mahogany sectors, forest-based MSMEs, waste wood utilisation and maritime pine activities — areas that contribute to income and employment opportunities for communities, resource owners and businesses.

With a total budget allocation of $25.7 million, including $14.4 million for operating expenditure and $11.3 million for capital expenditure, the Ministry recognises the responsibility that comes with managing public resources.

As Mr Tauvoli emphasised, a plan only becomes meaningful when it leads to effective implementation.

The year ahead is therefore about moving beyond planning and focusing on what matters most — delivery, measurable results and lasting benefits for Fiji.

🌱 From plans to action.
🌳 From action to results.
🇫🇯 From results to lasting benefits for Fiji.

18/09/2026

| 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐎 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 🎋🌿

From research to real opportunities for Fiji.

Today, 18 September 2026, Fiji joins the world in celebrating World Bamboo Day — but this year, the Ministry of Forestry is marking the occasion with something more than a celebration.

At the Government Printing House in Suva, the Ministry officially received six research reports and draft guidelines developed under the Fiji Bamboo for Adaptation and Mitigation Project.

For Fiji, this is an important step towards understanding how bamboo can be responsibly developed as a resource for climate resilience, sustainable construction, environmental restoration and rural livelihoods.

Acting Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry, Mr. Saimone Tauvoli, said the occasion represents a milestone in Fiji’s journey towards a more resilient, self-reliant and climate-smart construction sector.

The research has helped answer some important questions:

🎋 How much bamboo do we have, and where is it?

🎋 Can bamboo be sustainably harvested?

🎋 How can it be propagated, treated and processed?

🎋 Can it meet the requirements of construction?

🎋 And importantly — how can communities, farmers and processors participate and benefit?

The draft Fiji Bamboo Management and Harvesting Guidelines will provide a national reference for responsible bamboo production and harvesting, while the draft Fiji Bamboo Construction Guidelines offer a potential pathway for bamboo to be recognised within Fiji’s broader building framework.

The work has also strengthened Fiji’s own technical capacity, including through the Rapid Inventory Assessment of Bambusa vulgaris in Naitasiri, giving forestry officers practical knowledge and methodologies that can be applied in other parts of the country.

The Ministry acknowledged the valuable partnership of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), the Governments of New Zealand and Ireland, the Ministry of Public Works, Base Bahay Foundation, Erasito Consultants, research institutions, communities and farmers.

But the work does not end with today’s handover.

The next step is to turn this knowledge into practical action — strengthening bamboo management, investing in nurseries, supporting communities and building a sustainable sector that can contribute to Fiji’s future.

As Mr. Tauvoli reminded stakeholders, Fiji must develop bamboo while protecting the resource, respecting customary landowners and communities, maintaining environmental integrity and ensuring the benefits are widely shared.

🎋 This World Bamboo Day, Fiji celebrates not only bamboo — but the knowledge, partnerships and local capacity being built around it.

Happy World Bamboo Day 2026!

16/09/2026

| NORTHERN DIVISION AGRICULTURE SHOW - FORESTRY AWARDS 2026 🌳🏆

Tonight, the Ministry of Forestry celebrates the people, communities and businesses helping shape the future of forestry in Fiji.

As part of the National Agriculture Show 2026 at Subrail Park, Labasa, the Northern Division Forestry Awards 2026 recognise 12 outstanding recipients whose work reflects responsible forest management, environmental restoration, compliance, value addition, community participation and sustainable livelihoods.

🏆 BEST COMMUNITY FORESTRY
Nayarabale Village – Noqu Vanua Noqu Wacawaca Reforestation Program

🌱 OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL TREE FARMER
Mr Rafaele Vuniwai – Korovou Settlement, Bouma, Taveuni

🪵 BEST LOGGING CONTRACTOR
Prasads Timber Supplies Pte Ltd – Bua

🏭 BEST SAWMILL
Waiqele Sawmill Pte Ltd – Qelewaqa, Labasa

🌿 BEST COMMUNITY TREE NURSERY
Labasa Miracle Church Women’s Group – Vulovi, Labasa

🪵 BEST TIMBER TREATMENT PLANT
Local Timber Distributors Pte Ltd – Wailevu, Labasa

🌱 HIGHEST COMMUNITY TREE-PLANTING SURVIVAL RATE
Yavusa Kavula Forest Restoration Programme – Lekutu, Bua

🌏 BEST TIMBER EXPORTER
Tropik Wood Products Limited – Wairiki, Bua

🤝 BEST LOGGING LICENSEE
Mr Leone Mocelekaleka – Mataqali Namasi, Sasa, Macuata

🌳 BEST ECO-TOURISM
Muanivatu Trails – Vuadomo Village, Cakaudrove

🛠️ BEST COTTAGE INDUSTRY
Mr Apete Robarobalevu – Nabauto, Savusavu

🌲 BEST PINE SCHEME
Vanuavou Pine Scheme.

From large-scale reforestation and responsible harvesting to tree nurseries, eco-tourism and small community enterprises, tonight’s awardees show the many ways forestry contributes to Fiji.

These awards are about more than recognition. They highlight ownership, responsibility, hard work and stewardship — and the importance of ensuring our forests continue to provide environmental, social and economic benefits for generations to come.

🌳 Forestry is not only about the trees we harvest. It is about the forests we manage, the trees we plant, the livelihoods we create, the resources we protect, and the legacy we leave for those who will come after us.

Congratulations to all 12 award recipients! 👏🇫🇯

16/09/2026

| 🌳🚤 𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐀𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐈𝐑 𝐎𝐖𝐍: 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐀, 𝐁𝐔𝐀

The Mataqali Nauava of Tiliva Village, Bua, has received a boat to support community access, transportation and livelihood activities.

The boat was provided through a Free Issue Licence issued by the Ministry of Forestry, through an arrangement with Prasad Timber Sawmill Limited.

As part of its community development efforts, the Mataqali Nauava has also contributed $10,000 into Unit Trust, reflecting its commitment to investing forest resource benefits towards practical community priorities.

For the women of the Mataqali, the new boat represents an important improvement in their daily lives.

They shared that accessing the sea for basic necessities previously required them to borrow boats from other mataqali. With the new boat, they will now have greater independence and easier access to the sea for fishing, transportation and other essential activities.

The initiative demonstrates how forest resources can contribute to tangible community development when benefits are responsibly utilised and directed towards the needs of resource-owning communities.

For Mataqali Nauava, the boat is not only a new community asset, but an investment in greater access, independence and opportunity for the people of Tiliva.

Sustainable forests. Stronger communities. Better livelihoods.

16/09/2026

| 🌿 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐈𝐒 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!🌿

The action continues at Subrail Park, Labasa, as the National Agriculture Show enters its second day.

The Ministry of Forestry booth has been busy throughout the day, with visitors stopping by to learn more about Fiji’s forests, forest products, sustainable forest management and the programmes supporting communities and local entrepreneurs. 🌳🇫🇯

One of today’s highlights is the live cottage industry demonstration being conducted by recipients of the Ministry’s 2026 Forestry Subsidy Programme.

Visitors are getting a first-hand look at the skills and creativity behind Fiji’s forest-based cottage industries — and how sustainable use of forest resources can create opportunities and support livelihoods.

Our Forestry team is also on hand to answer questions, share information and connect with communities.

📍 Come visit the Ministry of Forestry booth at Subrail Park, Labasa.

The Show continues through tomorrow, 17 September 2026.

Come down, say bula and discover more about Fiji’s forests, the people who depend on them, and the opportunities they can create. 🌱🤝🇫🇯

15/09/2026

| 🌿 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐘 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐇!

There’s more than just displays at the Ministry of Forestry booth at the National Agriculture Show 2026 in Labasa — visitors are getting to see our cottage industry work come to life!

Our 2026 Cottage Industry recipients, Mr. Bucaonadu and Mr. Apete, are conducting live demonstrations and showcasing the skills, craftsmanship and potential of Fiji’s forest-based cottage industries.

Both recipients were supported through the Ministry’s Forestry Subsidy Programme, which provides opportunities for local entrepreneurs to develop their businesses, add value to forest resources and strengthen livelihoods.

From the hands-on demonstrations to the stories behind their businesses, the booth is giving visitors a closer look at how Fiji’s forest resources can support innovation, enterprise and community livelihoods. 🌱🤝

📍 Come and visit the Ministry of Forestry booth at Subrail Park, Labasa, and see the demonstrations for yourself!

15/09/2026