Fiji has placed youth at the centre of its agricultural future, launching new initiatives to encourage participation, innovation, and sustainability across the sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways officially opened the country's first National Youth in Agriculture Symposium at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, marking what Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Tomasi Tunabuna, described as a historic step in empowering young farmers.

The two-day program brought together young producers, private sector representatives, NGOs, development partners and government officials to discuss agri-entrepreneurship, climate resilience and innovation under the theme 'A Transformative Journey towards Sustainable Agri-Entrepreneurship'.

Mr Tunabuna said the event reflected the Government's commitment to supporting young Fijians to become leaders in the agriculture industry.

"As I look across this room, I do not just see an audience; I see the future custodians of our nation's food security and the pioneers who will redefine what it means to be a farmer in the 21st century," he said.

Mr Tunabuna said agriculture was evolving from an occupation of last resort to one of the most innovative and profitable sectors available to young people.

"Today, farming is one of the most critical, exciting and transformative sectors for any young entrepreneur," he said.

"Through agriculture, you can become job creators and not job seekers.

"You can even become millionaires if you commit yourselves to it."

The Minister addressed the decline in youth participation in crop farming, highlighted by the Ministry's 2024 Agriculture Production Survey.

"Many of our young people are drawn to overseas jobs, believing that the real prize lies abroad," he said.

"I want to remind [young people] that the true prize is here at home, utilising our land, serving our communities and raising our families side by side."

According to the 2020 Fiji Agriculture Census, more than 27,000 young people are already engaged in farming.

Mr Tunabuna said this showed strong potential for transformation through technology and innovation, while also acknowledging the barriers faced by young women in accessing land, finance, and resources.

"This symposium is also about ensuring that no one is left behind... We must empower our young women by creating inclusive pathways into agri-entrepreneurship," he said.

The symposium offered opportunities for young people to learn about modern farming models, market access, agribusiness management and climate resilient practices.

It also served as a platform for networking between government, development agencies, private investors, and successful farmers.

Mr Tunabuna reaffirmed the Ministry's long-term commitment through key frameworks such as the 10-Year Non-Sugar Agriculture Sector Policy 2025-2035, the 5-Year Strategic Development Plan, and the Youth in Agriculture Policy.

"The Ministry remains fully committed to strengthening your participation in agriculture - expanding your access to training, technology, land, markets, and finance," he said.

The focus on youth engagement continued as Fiji marked World Soil Day 2025 at Syria Park in Nausori with the theme 'Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities'.

The event encouraged young people to take an active role in protecting soil and greening urban areas.

Participants planted fruit trees and vetiver grass across Syria Park, Nakasi Market, and the Dilkusha riverbank, symbolising the role of youth in combating erosion and improving food security.

Students took part in soil coring demonstrations and pH testing exercises, learning how soil health affects nutrient availability and crop productivity.

Agriculture divisions displayed sustainable land management methods and provided planting materials to communities.

These activities reinforced the connection between soil conservation, climate resilience, and urban wellbeing, highlighting the responsibility of young people to maintain healthy ecosystems.

World Soil Day 2025 became a call to action, with Fiji's youth demonstrating their commitment to protecting land and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture.

Closing the symposium, Mr Tunabuna urged participants to take what they had learned and apply it in their communities.

"Network relentlessly. Challenge the speakers. Seek mentors," he said.

"Identify at least one actionable idea you will pursue when you return home.

"The future of agriculture is not only in the soil - it is in your minds and in your hands."