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Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has been formally informed of the passing of the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu, who will be laid to rest on Friday, 20 June 2025.

A delegation led by Assistant Minister Tomasi Tunabuna, along with senior Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways officials and members of the Rayalu family, presented a tabua and relayed the news to the Prime Minister at his residence on Saturday.

Minister Rayalu passed away in Suva on Thursday afternoon following a short illness. He was 57.

Reguregu will begin on Wednesday, 18 June, at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, where his funeral service will also be held on Friday before his burial at the Old Suva Cemetery.

Prime Minister Rabuka expressed deep sorrow over the loss, describing Mr Rayalu as “a humble yet visionary leader” who had dedicated decades of service to agriculture and national development.

“Minister Rayalu led from the front and worked tirelessly to develop our agriculture sector for the benefit of every Fijian,” he said.

“His passing is a huge loss to Fiji.”

The late minister, originally from Vanuavatu Island in Lau with maternal ties to Naivilaca in Noco, Rewa, was elected under the People’s Alliance in 2022 and appointed Minister on 24 December that year.

Before his political career, he served in various capacities within the Ministry of Agriculture, including as Chief Economist and Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services. He also acted as Permanent Secretary on multiple occasions.

A former student of Queen Victoria School, Mr Rayalu held a Bachelor of Agriculture from USP and an MBA earned in 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Vasiti, six sons, and two daughters.

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