Saltwater intrusion on farmland in Qilinimoto Settlement in Bua will be addressed to ensure farming activities resume in affected areas.

This was the assurance made by the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy during a talanoa session with farmers from Vatubogi, Nasuva, Coboi and Qilinimoto in Bua yesterday.

While raising the issue of saltwater intrusion, 58-year-old livestock farmer Mr. Moti Chand said farming in his community had seen a downturn due to this, as tracts of once arable land had become inundated with seawater over time.

Hon. Reddy attributed this occurrence to climate change, as it had become a major contributor to the frequency of saltwater intrusion on farmlands.

Minister Reddy said a short term solution would be done by the Waterways and Environment Ministry as major maintenance works for the Vatubogi sea wall would be supplemented with compact soil filling, with drainage works to be made to prevent seawater from sipping onto farms.

“You also need to understand that these are effects of climate change, which is a global issue and the intrusion of saltwater into farms is a consequence of climate change.

Minister Reddy added that the solutions would allow farmers to utilize the land that currently was being affected by saltwater intrusion, providing them the opportunity to make full use of this underutilized land to further increase farm production.

Riverbank erosion has also become an increasing concern for farmers in Bua, with preventative measures also being assured to farmers as vast amounts of land had been washed away.

-ENDS-

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