India Sends 5 Tonnes of Black-Eyed Cowpea (Lobia) Seeds to Fiji as Humanitarian Aid under Act East Policy.
International
In a notable act of regional solidarity, India dispatched five metric tonnes of black-eyed cowpea seeds to Fiji in July 2025. This humanitarian aid, sent under the government’s ‘Act East Policy’, aims to bolster agricultural production, improve soil health, and enhance food security in the Pacific Island nation.
- This shipment marks the first tranche of humanitarian assistance comprising cowpea seeds from India to Fiji. The seeds departed from New Delhi on 26 July 2025, and were officially handed over to the Fijian government at Sabeto, near Nadi, by the Indian High Commission in Suva.
- The aid targets strengthening agricultural resilience and food security in Fiji. Black-eyed cowpea seeds are valued for their versatility—they serve as nutritious food for humans, nutritious feed for livestock, and act as cover crops to enhance soil fertility and suppress weeds.
- This initiative underscores India's commitment to its Indo-Pacific partners, showcasing solidarity amid climate and economic vulnerabilities faced by small island nations like Fiji. The initiative exemplifies India's role as a supportive development partner across sectors like health, education, and disaster management.
Main Point :- (i) India-Fiji relations have a long history, dating back to the arrival of indentured Indian laborers in 1879. The partnership was further strengthened through engagements under the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), initiated during Prime Minister Modi’s 2014 visit to Fiji.
(ii) Black-eyed cowpea seeds are multi-purpose. They help fix nitrogen, replenishing soil nutrients, and serve as green manure, contributing to sustainable farming practices—vital for improving Fiji's agricultural output and environmental resilience.
Prime minister: Sitiveni Rabuka
Capital: Suva
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