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DR RICHARD BEYER PERMANENT SECRETARY FOR AGRICULTURE WEDNESDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2008, HEXAGON RESORT, NADI The Director Agriculture Crop Extension Services, Extension officers, Representatives from other Government agencies, Other Staff of the Ministry, Ladies and Gentleman. I am indeed honored this morning to officiate in opening the third quarter meeting of the Agriculture Extension Division and in doing so would like to remind you all of the mammoth task that lays ahead for the Ministry in terms of implementing the various development programmes under the National Budget. Your role as implementing officers of these programmes is critical to the achievement of their national objectives and it must be emphasized that the Ministry is confident in your capabilities to carry out the necessary tasks that will ensure success. However, mere words of comfort like this are not enough to see us through and I would like to see a more holistic and proactive approach being adopted by all extension officers towards these programmes. The current demand driven approach to development programmes also demands high expectations from Extension officers in terms of service delivery. You will need to strengthen your networks with key stakeholders i.e. farmers, exporters, middleman, importers, Ministry divisions and others in order to be well versed with the situation under which you operate. This requires getting out of your comfort zone and getting into the thick of action and making sure that there is progress every inch of the way. Management is fully aware of the pressures that come with these expectations due to the lack of resources coupled with the financial approval processes and would like to assure you that it is doing all that it can to facilitate. Inspite of the challenges comparative export production for the First and Second Quarter for this year are as follows: I am told that during your deliberations over the next two days you intend to present achievements for the quarter, review those achievements and then embark on a review process covering your reporting system, overall performance, 2008 Business Plan, Work Programme and then identification of bench marks. In addition to these I suggest that you spend time to seriously discuss the nature of projects to be implemented in 2009 and more specifically which areas along the value chain that needs to be addressed such that commodity development continues on the path to gaining industry status. This should be done considering the constraints faced in 2008. We must not see these as simply constraints but treat them as challenges that can be overcome in 2009 so as to improve on overall efficiency in our service delivery. On this note I have already directed the HOD to have the first sitting of the Technical Working Group and the National Steering Committee by December 2008 i.e. to discuss projects for 2009 first quarter funding. I therefore expect all PAO’S and SAO’S to be proactive in the preparation of project Proposals so as to meet the deadlines as I have already stated. My expectation on the nature of projects to which I briefly alluded to earlier is that there will not be too much focus on production. Instead projects should focus more on areas further up the value chain such as cool storage facilities, packing sheds, value added processing with a view to the formation of farmer groups. This can be seen as the building blocks for the future formation of commodity based industry councils. I think that I have said a mouthful and it is appropriate at this time that I thank the Director Extension and all your officers for the efforts given so far. The Ministry as I have already stated depends a lot on you as individuals and collectively to achieve its many objectives through your services. Your importance to the Ministry cannot be over emphasized and this is evident by the fact that I as your Permanent Secretary have seen it fit to officiate at his opening with the Minister for Primary Industries to officiate at the closing. I wish you well in meeting the objectives of this meeting which should map out your roles and responsibilities for 2009 and I have much pleasure in declaring the Extension Division third quarter meeting open. Thank you and GOD Bless Fiji. Inspite of the challenges, comparative export for the First and Second Quarter for this year shows that 911 tonnes of dalo was exported in the second quarter which represented an increase of 27% of the 716 tonnes exported in the first quarter. Also 348 tonnes of pawpaw were exported in the second quarter which was an increase of 190% from the 120 tonnes exported in the first quarter. Similarly 1201 tonnes of assorted vegetables was exported in the second quarter showing an increase of 217% of the 378 tonnes exported in the first quarter. |
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