SUVA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's agriculture minister Mahendra Reddy said on Monday that Fijians needed to treat agriculture as a business so it could survive.

Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Reddy made the comment as he gave a lecture on agriculture development at the Fiji National University.

He stressed that the government's Agro-Processors Infrastructure Support Program (APIS) was aimed at achieving economic growth by encouraging consistent supply, improving existing export pathways and creating new export opportunities.

The program is focused on helping exporters meet the standards and requirements of importing countries and businesses.

It includes the establishment of collection centers, cold storage systems, and the improvement of current processing and exporting facilities to meet international market requirements.

The minister added that he would soon launch a new pasture improvement plan approved by the cabinet with the Juncao technology project in Legalega Nadi, Fiji's western side, which was funded by the Chinese government in 2014.

Research has shown that the nutritional content of Juncao grass is superior to any other pasture in Fiji.

"To further improve livestock production, the ministry will identify and support large farms with planting, processing, and storage of Juncao grass. This shall also build resilience to climate change," said Minister Reddy.

"The farmers will not only have a high protein, drought-resistant pasture on their farm, they will also have a seedling source which they can then expand on their farm."