The four rural rice farming communities of Lagalaga/Maleqeo, Nubu, Daku and Vunivutu in Macuata now no longer need to travel far to mill rice for their own consumption.
This follows the handing over portable rice mills to these four communities by the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr. Mahendra Reddy yesterday.
"We are here to provide you with a rice mill so that when you grow and harvest your crop and you want to use it for home consumption, you do not have to look for a mill or travel long distances to mill your own rice," said Minister Reddy.
"The rice mill is supposed to encourage you to grow more rice, but the rice you grow is for the market, and it will be sold to Fiji Rice Limited," he added.
Minister Reddy elaborated that the portable rice mill being distributed by the Ministry was not intended for large scale milling of rice paddy in large quantities as this could damage the machine, which was meant only for small quantities of rice for home consumption.
"You can have your own rules and regulations with respect to how you use the rice mill but at the end of the day, you need to look after the upkeep and management of the machine as a cooperative.
"This machine is for everyone, regardless of your position within the cooperative and must be shared," he said.
Lagalaga/Maleqeo Farmers Cooperative President, Ravindra Nath has thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for the continued support towards their cluster.
"This mill will complete the assistance given by the Ministry to our cluster here in Lagalaga as we had previously received a harvester as well from the Ministry, we're blessed and happy to be considered by the Agriculture Ministry," said Mr. Nath.
Akisi Vinaka of Wainidrua village in Nadogo in Macuata has called on other women rice farmers to continue to grow more rice and to be mindful of their responsibilities as farmers.
"We are very thankful to receive this assistance in the form of this portable rice mill, I have 4 acres of land already under rice cultivation and this assistance is a big help for the farmers in this area," she said.
"Instead of complaining endlessly about the areas in which the Ministry has failed, we should do our part in planting more rice. We should conduct ourselves as responsible farmers who produce first and are ready for government to provide the necessary boost," she said.
Meanwhile echoing similar sentiments was President of Nubu Rice Farmers Cluster Mr. Ami Chandra, who looks after 26 farmers in his area.
"We, the farmers here in Nubu are delighted to be receiving this assistance and we hope to increase our production and planting here due to the continued support shown by the Government of the day, we will be able to grow as a farming cluster, thank you very much."
The Minister will be officially handing over portable rice mills to rice farming communities throughout Vanua Levu this week as part of the "We Rice Up" Programme.