NANISE NEIMILA
Navulaca youth group from Tagaqe Village in Nadroga hopes to venture into bee-farming as a source of income for the unemployed youths that are part of the group.
One of the main motivation behind the establishment of the youth group was to provide income for the unemployed youths in the village and look for income generating projects.
Representative from the group, 20-year Susana Natuituinivalu commended the Fijian Government for their efforts in providing the Seed Grant that provides landowners an opportunity to participate in any income generating projects of their choice and also allow them to work together in facilitating these projects.
“The grant will be very helpful for the group as we lack financial support for starters and given the projects that we would want to embark on. We plan to have bee-keeping projects, since our village is along the coral coast and there is high demand from the neighbouring resorts and hotels for locally produced food.”
Ms Natuituinivalu adds this is a great opportunity for other youth groups to explore as the Government continues to encourage landowning units to utilise idle land for future developments.
The group was amongst the 56 landowning units to receive funding from Government through the Seed Grant that is administered by the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB). Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama encouraged the landowners that the value of this project goes deeper than the short-term cash that every landowning group will able to accrue.
“By opening access to seed funding, we’re creating a culture of sustainable economic development, the benefits of which will build momentum over generations. That’s why we call it “seed funding” in the first place –– Government is planting and watering a seed with the hope that it will grow and flourish into something bigger and more beautiful.”
PM Bainimarama highlighted that the new project will encourage the younger generation to follow through with the new investments.
“Young people in your mataqalis see that happen, and they want to follow your lead. The precedent you set –– your single, breakthrough success story –– can go on to inspire generations of business owners who have seen what success looks like first-hand, and hunger to taste it on their own, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship that transforms Fiji into an economy of job-makers rather than job-takers.”
PM Bainimarama highlighted that in 2017 the Government began this initiative with a total allocation of $200,000.
“Last year, that amount grew to $350,000. This year, we’re distributing $500,000 in seed funding to 56 landowners and landowner groups.”