Distinguished Guests
Stakeholders and Sponsors
Farmers from around Fiji
Ladies and Gentlemen
 

On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, I welcome you all to the second day of the 2019 National Agriculture Show and it is a privilege for me to officiate in first session of the Farmers Award.
 

Ladies and gentlemen, the theme for this year’s Theme is "Agriculture Our Hope, Our Future for a Healthy and Wealthy Fiji"
 

It signifies the importance of looking after our wealth and most importantly our health as individuals, communities and as a nation.
 

The theme also echoes the important message of The Holy Bible, the message that we are the Lord’s stewards, we are here to tend the garden and ensure that our future generations also experience God’s harvest.
 

I urge you, our farmers to be an example to our fellow Fijian citizens and to promote the sector as the mainstay of our economy.
 

Ladies and Gentlemen, while our attention is focused towards healthy living for a wealthy Fiji, it is crucial that similar consideration should be given to the health of our natural resources for sustainability.
 

For instance in agriculture, healthy soils are the basis for healthy food production. Soils supply essential nutrients, water, oxygen and root support that our food producing plants like dalo, ginger, pawpaw, cassava, yams for example, need to grow and flourish.
 

It is also a medium that support pasture growth for livestock to thrive on.
 

The significance of maintaining healthy soils is vital, for growth and production of healthy and nutritious food for a healthy diet leading to healthy living for both humans and animals.
 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the National Agriculture Show is an annual event organized in partnership with key stakeholders and sponsors who

are always there to render their support when required.
 

It is one of the most important occasions in Fiji during the past years and will continue in the future years due to the high demand from farmers, suppliers, stakeholders and of course the general public.
 

Ladies and Gentlemen, as you can witness today, the event creates

a platform where farmers are able to engage with suppliers that sell agriculture related products which are relevant to them. At the same time, these suppliers are also exhibiting their latest products or services to farmers and the general public.
 

Moreover, it is an opportune time for our students (primary, secondary and tertiary) to view agriculture displays and receive first-hand information from Technical Experts regarding the type of services and career pathways provided by the Ministry.
 

The Farmers Award focusses on recognizing the immense contribution by our stakeholders in providing for a healthy and wealthy Fiji. It is a privilege to be here and Award 17 of our hard-working crop and livestock farmers who have surpassed certain benchmarks set by the Ministry. These awards are an acknowledgement of their hard work, sacrifice and will be an inspiration to other farmers in improving their production level.
 

The 17 Awards that will be presented represent crops and livestock commodities that had contributed to Fijis export market and food security. They have showcased the importance of sustainable land management to boost productivity and utilizing recycled materials to provide nutritious food to their families. My gratitude towards the enormous contribution of women to agriculture in the cottage industry and virgin coconut oil production which is also recognized in this auspicious event.
 

Ladies and gentlemen, it is fitting for me at this juncture to first of

all congratulate All farmers for their individual achievements throughout the year. I believe, being nominated as the best farmer award is indeed a pinnacle of that continuous success.
 

Once again congratulations and I hope you will continue to strive for excellence in all your farming endeavors.
 

Vinaka vakalevu & May God Bless You All.