SUVA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Fiji launched the embryo transfer program on Tuesday to improve the beef and dairy industries.

According to a government statement, Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy said at the launching of the program in Sigatoka, a town on the country's main island of Viti Levu, that the two industries have slowly evolved over the years from a few cows at subsistence level to a more commercially-oriented industries with major players such as farmers, processors, retailers, importers and consumers.

Reddy said that the overall performances of Fiji's beef and dairy industries have been stagnant. For a long time now, Fiji is still a net importer of beef and dairy products from Australia and New Zealand.

"For this reason, retail prices are closely linked to import prices," he said. "Because of Fiji's high import bill in beef and dairy products, the Fijian government has put in place initiatives to reform the industries with the aim of reducing imports by increasing local production."

Reddy said that Fiji's 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda aims at modernizing Fiji's agriculture sector. It highlighted the introduction of modern farming technology, equipment and inputs, mechanization, biotechnology, innovation and better farming practices which will increase productivity, profitability and food security for the increasing population.

Therefore, in identifying the lack of performances in Fiji's dairy and beef industries due to poor genetics, the ministry have opted for embryo transfer which is a safer method of improving farmer's herds rather than the normal practice of importation of cattle.

The minister said that this was a new era not only for beef and dairy but for Fiji's livestock industry.