Ba farmers receive soil health cards for their farms
October 16, 2020
Picture: Hon.Minister for Agriculture Dr.Mahendra Reddy, Assistant Minister for Agriculture Mr. Viam Pillay and Senior Officials from the Ministry taking a group photo with farmer's in Ba.
Farmers in Ba were the recipients of the second lot of soil health card distribution early this month.
While officiating at the event in Waiwai, Ba the Minister of Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, the Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy revealed that Fiji was the second country in the world to have the soil health card.
He thanked the officers working at Koronivia Research Station for working tirelessly in designing Fiji’s own version.
“I want to thank the farmers today who took a keen interest in getting the Soil Health Card for their farms and urge all the other farmers to come forward.
The Minister said for the moment, the distribution focused on large commercial farmers before the attention would turn to medium-sized and small farmers.
He said having a soil health card was important.
“A Soil Health Card will help you critically review it by allowing us to take soil samples from your farms.
“The Soil Health Card will tell you basically, the nutrient status of your farms and how healthy your soil is for plant growth.
“Based on the important information contained in the Soil Health Card, you can better plan your agricultural activity; the crops not to plant; where to plant; and how to plant,” he said.
Waiwai, Ba farmer, Mr Iqbal Azam Ali said having a Soil Health Card was useful.
“The Soil Health Card I have, shows what is present in my soil, what fertilisers I should not put in the soil, and what things I should put in the soil to make it better in years to come.
“Basically, I am happy to get this,” he said.
Mr Ali is a pineapple farmer who has 50 acres of land dedicated to the fruit, from the total 100 acres of land under his lease.
Just from the last five years of been a full time farmer, Mr Ali has grown his assets which include his recently built home, a land cruiser, a mini bus and a tractor.
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