Dairy Farmers have been challenged to increase their output so that imports are reduced and local demands for milk and other dairy products are met.

While speaking at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Rewa Co-operative Dairy Company Limited at the Nabua factory, President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said the current local demand for milk is 74 million litres however only 15% of the demands are met by local dairy farmers.

He adds in the 1930s the local demands were met and Fiji used to export butter to Canada and United Kingdom.

Ratu Epeli said there is a challenge for dairy farmers to meet the demands of locals and also be ambitious to export dairy products to neighbouring Pacific Island countries.

According to Ratu Epeli, Rewa Dairy has been providing nutritious food for the locals for over four generations.

He said suppliers and shareholders for Rewa Dairy have increased in the last decade.

He said government will continue to assist the dairy industry to ease the situation.

Ratu Epeli said he has taken interest in the industry since he served the Military for twenty five years and will continue his interest in this important industry.

Meanwhile, the President also recognised six dairy farmers from five provinces of Naitasiri for their long service contribution to the dairy industry.