Government efforts to raise production, improve market access and overall technique for agriculture farmers in the Sigatoka Valley is quickly paying dividends for 300 farmers in the area.
The Sigatoka valley development programme is serving its purpose by increasing farmers’ yields and at the same time providing technical assistance and enhancing quality for Fijian grown products.
Senior Agricultural Officer Mr Sawane Remudu said the programme has been welcomed by farmers as it increased their knowledge in integrated farming methods and has proved to be very successful.
“Through the programme, 287 farmers have benefited in 2014 al
one and the response has been very overwhelming,” he said.
“We have used the programme to boost the interests of farmers in agriculture which has provided the impetus to grow their knowledge and at the same time ensure sustainability of their farms.”
The programme has been in place for the past two years and has reaped benefits in contributing towards the nation’s tourism sector and also for the export market in Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, Canada and other Asian countries.
Government has invested close to $0.4 million to the projects through which farmers are able to access and get new equipment, and improve drainage, roads, and built new seedling facilities.
This year, Government has allocated another $200, 000 towards the programme.
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