SUVA, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture will assist farmers to commercialize and develop their small agricultural farms.

Fiji's Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy made the comments while addressing on Monday sugarcane and crop farmers in Sigatoka, a city about 126 km away from the Fijian capital of Suva.

They had actively promoted commercial agriculture to farmers interested in diversifying to take agricultural farming as a business, he said, adding that they did not have to worry about markets as the ministry would take care of that.

He highlighted existing grants and subsidies which were available and also noted the agriculture ministry's role in providing relevant assistance for farmers.

"Be mindful that you should play your part, the ministry will assist farmers only once as you're expected to expand on your own after the first assistance has been provided," he reiterated.

The minister said that they can't continuously pour in government resources and money to support leisurely farming in Fiji instead, they want to support farmers realize their potential because there is national interest for the growth of the sector to contribute more effectively to Fiji's economy.