FIJI could become one of the world's leading producers of pearls in the next few years.
Nadi businessman and Rakiraki pearl farmer Raghu Chowdhary believes that the country has the potential to achieve this with the added boost of Australian aid to the industry.
"This is a real possibility especially with the great strides being made by J Hunter Pearls from Savusavu and my company, Pearls of Paradise in the world market," he said. Mr Chowdhary said his company, together with J Hunter, the country's biggest pearl producer, complemented each other and were working towards establishing Fiji as a formidable player on the world pearl market.
"We are being assisted with aid from Australia under the Pacific Agribusiness Research for Development Initiative (PARDI) who are here to assist the local pearling industry sustain and grow," Mr Chowdhary said.
Along with the projected growth comes benefits to coastal communities that play host to pearl farms.
"We all engage local communities and villages in our production processes. For Pearls of Paradise, Malake villagers are employed as divers and workers. This will spread to other coastal areas as our farms grow and expand," he said.
There are close to one dozen pearl farms in the country with the majority of farms situated in Savusavu and Taveuni. Viti Levu boasts only two, Pearls of Paradise and Tokito Pearls of Fiji.
