AZARIA FAREEN
The Ministry of Agriculture will be announcing a dedicated Kava Research Centre and stations for multiplication of planting materials to expand kava growth and production out-side the traditional kava area.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment, Dr Mahendra Reddy while meeting with farmers in Rakiraki to promote root crop and livestock farming so they can transition to commercial farming on a larger scale.
“We will also be making an announcement to make every farmer a member of the Fiji National Provident Fund so that we provide social security to them income wise when they retire,” Minister Reddy said.
“Unfortunately only in the commerce sector people are members and it is about time our hard-working farmers also benefit from this scheme which will be launched soon,” he added.
Minister Reddy held talanoa sessions in five areas during this visit to Rakiraki where farmers readily discussed their grievances of water sourcing, proper drainage, land preparation, Irish crossing, bus shelter, rural electrification, farm road and climate change.
He acknowledged the requests and said assistance and support will be provided on issues and works undertaken by the ministry such as drainage works, farm roads, land preparation and providing a market for their pro-duce.
“We are very happy with the-support and response received by the farmers and by the end of this year you will see a major production of rice, squash, cassava, pulses and vegetables in the western division,” he said.
“We explained the returns from this farming and how it can re-ally bump up their household and farm income and also encourage livestock farmers to prepare a small plot of land where we will provide them with the planting material and take it to their door-step. We are very excited about this venture and will continue to promote commercial agriculture and motivate farmers by looking at more ways of mechanization and bringing in more machinery to improve their farm.”
He further adds that commercial agriculture plays a pivotal role in export while bringing in foreign currency, job creation, national economic development and livelihood sustenance.”
In the last 12-month period the ministry has provided about 80kg of planting material for one quarter in every livestock farmer.
“We want every livestock farmer to have Juncao pasture which is very high yielding, high in protein, drought tolerant, will provide a good return and lasts up-to 40 to 50 years,” Minister Reddy said.
Coconut farmer Praveen Ram Swarup said he had requested government for a thousand coconut seedling and planting materials as he has 170 acres of land and is ready for commercial farming.
“My business was good but I lost a lot of my crops during Tropical Cyclone Winston and I am ready to go big now thanks to the government for providing me with 500 coconut seedlings,” Mr Swarup said.