India has strengthened its development partnership with Fiji with the handover of 12 agricultural drones to the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), aimed at improving sugarcane production, crop monitoring and the efficient use of farming inputs.
Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Suneet Mehta formally handed over the drones to Fiji’s Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna in Lautoka.
The donation fulfils a commitment announced during Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s visit to India in August 2025 and forms part of India’s broader cooperation with Fiji in agriculture and the sugar sector.
Mehta said the drones would help farmers use agricultural inputs more efficiently, monitor crops and reduce the burden of some farming activities while improving productivity.
“Over the years, we have supported Fiji’s agriculture sector in a number of ways through provision of seeds on several occasions, mobile soil testing laboratories, financial assistance and training and capacity building for the farmers.”
He highlighted India’s recent contribution of five metric tonnes of cowpea seeds to Fiji as another example of practical agricultural assistance.
The Indian High Commissioner also said 15 Fijian participants would begin specialised virtual training related to the sugar industry in India, further expanding skills and knowledge exchange between the two countries.
Tunabuna said the drones would help improve how farmers apply fertiliser and other agricultural inputs, with the Ministry of Agriculture and FSC working together to deploy the technology and train users.
“We must ensure that these drones are utilised responsibly with appropriate training, safety measures and support for our farmers,” Tunabuna said.
“Our objective is to make technology a practical tool that contributes to improved productivity and the long-term sustainability of our agriculture sector.”
The latest assistance comes as India continues to expand its cooperation with Fiji beyond agriculture, including healthcare and access to affordable medicines.
India is supporting the construction of a 100-bed Super-Speciality Hospital in Fiji and has agreed to work towards recognising the Indian Pharmacopoeia, providing a framework for medicines manufactured in India to be recognised in Fiji.
An agreement signed during Rabuka’s visit to India is also expected to pave the way for Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Fiji, aimed at improving access to affordable generic medicines.
Mehta said India had also provided anti-retroviral medicines to Fiji on several occasions, most recently in November 2025, and remained open to further assistance.
India is also planning to provide dialysis machines and a sea ambulance to Fiji.
A second Jaipur Foot camp is scheduled for next month and is expected to assist around 650 amputees with prosthetic support and mobility.
“Our engagement in health and wellbeing, however, remains particularly close to our hearts,” Mehta said.
“We have a number of initiatives in healthcare that strengthen our relationship.”
The initiatives reflect what Mehta described as the spirit of “Veilomani Dosti” — friendship and cooperation between India and Fiji — with both countries expanding collaboration across agriculture, healthcare, skills and capacity building.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
