MINISTER FOR COMMERCE, TRADE, TOURISM & TRANSPORT HON. FAIYAZ KOYA’S REMARKS AT THE HANDING OVER OF TRACTOR TO WAI FARMERS CO-OPERATIVE

Representatives of Wai Farmers’ Co-operative,
Executive Management of Asco Motors,
Members of the Media,
Ni Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.

I am pleased to be here today to officiate the handing over of the tractor to Wai Farmers’ Co-operative of Ra.

Ideally, we would have loved to travel down to Ra. To the farm and home of the Co-operative to hand over this tractor. But despite the current situation, our work must go on.

And today’s handing over of the tractor is evidence of the resilience and tenacity of the Wai Farmers’ Co-operative. The vigour to continue their lives and earn a livelihood is applaudable.

Goods need to be delivered, farms need to be ploughed and produce to be harvested. And you all are focused on ensuring that you are able to achieve the best.

That is why we are here today - to handover the tractor to Wai Farmers’ Co-operative.  We understand they have been eagerly awaiting the tractor to make your work more efficient.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s handover is yet again a result of the partnership and collaboration between the Fijian Government and Wai Farmers’ Co-operative. The Wai Farmers, which started as a group of farmers in 2009, is now a fully-fledged legal and registered co-operative.

In order to grow their business, they took a bold step to apply for the Integrated Human Resources Development Programme (IHRDP) funding. In fact, the Co-operative made a cash contribution of more than $18,000 and the Ministry contributed, through IHRDP, close to $56,000, to acquire the tractor. This is the level of commitment and partnership we want from our stakeholders.

By contributing towards the cost of the tractor, Wai Farmers have shown not only commitment, but taken ownership and responsibility of the asset.
I congratulate them for doing so.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am told that the Co-operative consists of 42 farmers belonging to Mataqali Wai in Burenitu Village, Ra. They collectively own over 600 acres of land. It is understood that they currently have cassava, banana, dalo, pineapples, kumala and ginger farms.

I'm sure the tractor will mechanise and modernise your farms and also make your task more efficient. It will boost your income and allow you to support your families better, send your children to universities, renovate your homes – build a better life.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Ministry believes that with our continuous support, we can expect bigger and better things to come from this co-operative. This is just the beginning of the support from the Ministry. We will assist the Co-operative through skills training and business guidance. 

This will place Wai Farmers’ Co-operative in a better position to access more finance, more technical expertise and training. This will also give them the opportunity to enter into contracts, expand their operations and hopefully one day - become exporters. 

Ladies and Gentlemen
Wai Farmers’ Co-operative is an excellent example of how resource owners can put their assets to good use. They were able to capitalise on the Fijian Government’s assistance and livelihood programme for the betterment of their business, their families and their community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
That is why I strongly encourage other Co-operatives and groups to step out of their comfort zones and come forward to apply for grant assistance, such as IHRDP. The Expressions of Interest has been advertised in the papers and social media. This will be closing on 17 September 2021.

With the aim of creating employment and reducing poverty in rural and peri-urban areas, we have seen how the IHRDP programme has transformed communities and improved their livelihoods. Wai Farmers’ Co-operative is just another example.

Ladies and Gentleman,
Last but not least, I would like to thank Asco Motors for being part of this journey.
 
I am sure there are further opportunities we can explore and continue to discuss.
 
Vinaka vakalevu and Thank you.