The Prakash family of Barotu, Rakiraki plans to expand their small livestock farming business after the handover of a sheep farming shed by the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management this week.
Funded under the Ministry’s Self-Help Programme (SHP), the assistance is aimed at generating income for the family.
The Prakash family has a stock of 62 sheep and 15 goats at their Barotu farm.
Ajneel Avinesh Prakash has been farming with his father, Mr Anand Prakash, for more than six years. In 2016, they faced a major setback after majority of their livestock died during the height of TC Winston.
Mr Prakash said that the assistance from the Ministry would significantly boost their business and empower them to grow further.
“In the past, we didn’t have a proper shed, so we lost a lot of our stock, but now we have a good shed, where we can safely raise our sheep and goat. We really want to thank Government for this assistance. With the provision of the new shed, we hope to grow our farm to be able to earn more money to support our family,” Mr Prakash said.
In handing over the newly built shed, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Inia Seruiratu, said that the project was about the economic empowerment of rural Fijians.
“There are a few reasons why it is so important: one is that it contributes to food security and nutrition security of the country; two, it reduces import levels and increases export levels; and most importantly, it protects livelihoods and income security. The Ministry has provided the shed for Mr Prakash and the family so they can expand their goat and sheep farming project. It is also important for the safety and security of the animals,” Minister Seruiratu said.