Vitawa Village, Rakiraki – The University of Fiji celebrated a significant achievement in sustainable aquaculture with its first white shrimp harvest this month at the Vitawa Village Aquaculture Farm in the Ra Province, located in the northern area of Viti Levu, the Fijian’s largest Island. This milestone highlights efforts toward food security and rural aquaculture under a US$350,00 US Agency for International Development (USAID) Pacific American Fund grant.

The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Alitia Bainivalu, who highlighted the critical role of the recently passed Aquaculture Bill in advancing Fiji’s aquaculture sector.

USAID Pacific Islands Mission Director Zema Semunegus highlighted the critical role of partnerships with universities and other like-minded donors in driving local solutions to improve community livelihoods.  “This partnership between the Vitawa community, the University of Fiji, USAID, and the International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF)  has strengthened food security, generated income, and equipped community members with entrepreneurial skills for long-term sustainable solutions,” said Semunegus.

“This initiative goes beyond improving livelihoods—it empowers families to invest in their futures, from sending their children to school to meeting other essential needs. It exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can transform lives and create lasting impact,” she added.

USAID Pacific American Fund Chief of Party, Erin LaCroix, commended the project as a testament to innovation in rural development. “This is more than just an aquaculture endeavor. It is a lifeline for communities in Vitawa, where challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have demanded creativity and determination to rebuild livelihoods”, she said.

Director Quality Assurance at The University of Fiji, Mr. Deepak Lal, speaking on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, emphasized the importance of academia in addressing community needs through impactful initiatives like this. “This project reflects UniFiji’s commitment to giving back and serving communities, particularly in areas where the need is greatest,” he said.

Mr. Tomas Chan, representing TaiwanICDF, expressed gratitude to the Vitawa community for their dedication, highlighting the stocking of 10,000 larvae in June, the fruits of which we bear witness as an early holiday gift.

UniFiji Project Manager, Kelera Railoa, provided the latest update on the harvest: the anticipated total harvest of 100 kg white shrimp will be carried out in partial harvests. On Day 1, 26 kg was collected, generating FJD 1,300 (equivalent to USD561.06) in sales, with additional harvests continuing over the next few days.

Mr. Rusi Waqata, representing the Vitawa community, thanked all partners for their support, including the Ministry of Fisheries, USAID Pacific American Fund, UniFiji and its partner the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), TaiwanICDF, Japan International Cooperation Agency, and University of the South Pacific.

“This harvest showcases the dedication of our community in adopting sustainable aquaculture practices,” said Mr. Waqata, Chair of the Vitawa Pond Management Committee.

This project and multi-stakeholder collaboration align with Fiji’s broader initiatives to foster the Blue Economy, enhance food security, and strengthen climate resilience, particularly in areas affected by saltwater intrusion.