As articulated in the Roadmap for Democracy Sustainable Socio-Economic Development (2009-2014) Government is committed to reducing poverty to a negligible level by 2015.
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation is increasingly promoting women into economic income generating programs to financially empower and help them to ‘walk’ out of poverty.
Through its Non-Government Organization (NGO) grant the ministry funded a $7000 bee hive project, which will benefit more than 50 women in Basoga Village. This project came under the spot light with the visit by the Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni this week.
Coordinator of AGOFI Women's Group Mrs Ilisapeci Ratu shows the first beehive purchased by the AGOFI Women's Group just before the Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation provided the 10 double beehives
She revealed that women in Basoga last year registered with the ministry and named their women group as AGOFI (Apostle Gospel Outreach International) women’s group.
“In March this year the AGOFI decided to undertake a microenterprise project to economically empower these women. It started with a hive bought with members own money and then they approached the ministry for financial assistance,” Dr Luveni said.
“The ministry assisted the group purchase 10 double hives, farming tools, farming gear and also facilitated the technical advice and assistance from Animal Health and Production (AH&P).”
After visiting the project, Dr Luveni was happy to know that hives were ready to be harvested in three week’s time and the women would reap the benefits of their hard work.
“The ministry supports this projects and now we would like to see the skills of beekeeping being advocated to other women in nearby communities. Similar projects can be undertaken by interested women NGO’s,” Dr Luveni said.
“Women should learn that economic empowerment starts from the community, you have to start with income generating and the Government stands ready to assist you in every way possible. This project is very good example of what the Government wants.”
AGOFI coordinator Mrs Ilisapeci Ratu said that honey production was good for women because it was less labour intensive and the dry weather in Labasa provided a preferable condition for healthy bee hives.
“The good thing is that both men and children have also taken the proactive role in managing the project,” she said.
“A market has been established with Northern Beekeeping Cooperative and with the revenue earned more bee hives will be purchased to expand the business.
“The Ministry of Agriculture has informed (us) that these are healthy bee hives. we will be able to produce 20 liters per hive and the cooperative will buy it at $7 a litre and it takes (a) minimum three months to harvest so we expect to earn over $1000 in a month.”
Mrs Ratu is advising rural women to start an income generating project and not depend on the Government to start things.
“You start it and Government will assist you venture into commercial earnings,” Mrs Ratu said.
“Women should take the first step just as we did, start with one hive because the Government is ready to assist.
“We have to be proactive and take the first step to improve our lives.
“We appreciate that Dr Luveni has come down all the way here to visit us and it is the first time a minister has come down to this level and motivated us to develop this project further,” Mrs Ratu added.
(L to R) Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation Dr Jiko Luveni with the Coordinator of AGOFI Women's Group Mrs Ilisapeci Ratu while visiting the AGOFI Women's Beekeeping Project in Basoga
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