Land clearing work on the farms of 10 mataqali (land-owning units) and 14 individual farmers from the Central Division began today.
These farmers and clusters have received their offer letters for the commencement of land clearing works and are being assisted through the Land Clearing Programme of the Ministry of Agriculture.
While officially handing over their offer letters at Korovou today, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr. Mahendra Reddy urged all the recipients to take full advantage of this opportunity and to grow their farms towards commercial agriculture levels for the benefit of their families and communities.
Minister Reddy stated that a total of 33 individuals and 20 mataqalis were being targeted to be assisted under the Land Clearing Programme whereby the Ministry would provide the resources to clear their land, free of charge.
" We will clear the bush using bulldozers and excavators, we will prepare the soil using tractors, and we will provide the planting material, and you will not have to pay a single cent," he said.
"Our contractors are ready to mobilise their resources immediately and I want to congratulate all of you who are the recipients of this programme. Since you weren't offered any favors, and we didn't offer any favors to you, you deserve it. You went through a very rigorous competitive process without any favor to anyone, and were chosen for the award because of your interest and potential," added Minister Reddy.
The 10 mataqalis that received their offer letters will have 5 acres of their land cleared with the 14 individuals set to have 1.5 acres of their unutilised land cleared, respectively, with funding sourced through the Land Clearing Programme.
Minister Reddy also urged the recipients to treat their farms as a business and to refrain from requesting for more Government assistance as there were more farmers and clusters that required assistance.
"We need to shift our focus to helping all mataqalis in the country and this is why you must consider this as assistance that will be rolled out on a one time basis.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Manoa Gade of Cautata Village, Bau, Tailevu said the land clearing assistance was a welcome one which would have a huge impact on their farming development.
"I can assure that this help will not go to waste for us. We will use it to grow and expand our farms as this is a big opportunity for those of us who have been fortunate enough to be selected to receive it and I thank the Ministry of Agriculture for the work being done to grow the sector," said Mr. Gade.
A total of 71 acres of unutilized, uncultivated and overgrown land within the Central Division is earmarked to be cleared, prepared and used for agricultural purposes under the Land Clearing Programme.