Assessment of the nutritional value and competitiveness of traditional foods in South Pacific economies: a case study of root crops in Fiji
1998
Fleming, E. (Univ. of New England, Armidale (Australia). Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics) | Lim, T.K.
The most important obstacles to developing traditional food crop industries are identified by examining factors influencing the supply and demand of taro and other root crops in Fiji. On the supply side, attention is given to the constraints on production, storage, processing, transport, and marketing. On the demand side, the focus is on various economic, social, and cultural factors identified as the chief determinants of consumption decisions. Suggestions are made for the development of a strategy to improve the competitiveness of root crops in relation to imported foods (especially rice and flour), that is more effective than current strategies. Policies are suggested to underpin this strategy, with particular emphasis on the encouragement of productivity gains in production and post-harvest activities. Any strategy to make food industries more competitive in domestic food markets will require an improved understanding of the factors changing tastes and preferences of domestic consumers. Marketing research programmes for root crops are needed, but will require government support.
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