Picture: Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy during the launch of the Back To Rural Agriculture  Programme.

Fijians, whose livelihoods were impacted by COVID-19 through loss of employment and have opted to return to their villages to take up farming are set to benefit from a newly launched agriculture program.

The program, ‘Back To Rural Agriculture’ (B2RA), which was announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy today will target 330 individuals who have since taken up crop and vegetable farming following their recent unemployment status.

“I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Agriculture is launching the “Back to Rural Agriculture” (B2RA) program. This program aims to support Fijians who have lost their jobs due to the current pandemic and are now returning to the rural area to focus on agriculture.

“To reinforce their settlement support and to develop the agricultural entrepreneurship of these individuals, the Ministry of Agriculture will commence by providing them an initial farm support kit, which will help them commence their farming activity,” said Hon. Reddy.

The program is set out as targeted intervention, with a long-term development aim to see the increase in rural vitality via continued co-operation between these returnee farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture and rural communities.

“As a startup, the program will include a total package of $400.00 per individual, which would consist of $250 worth of farming tools, directly delivered to the successful farmer, $100 worth of planting materials and $50.00 cash, which can be used to procure any other items needed,” said Minister Reddy.

The toolkit will include one farm knife, a digging fork, one digging spade, a 20L water bucket, one Jerry Can (Water Can), an axe, one 50 meter rope, a tarpaulin set, and one set of shade cloth.

Planting materials will also be distributed in addition to the above equipment, based on individual requirement and land suitability.

Minister Reddy emphasized that the programme was tailored for those who wanted to venture into agriculture after having lost their jobs due to the current pandemic, stressing that it would only be provided to those meeting the criteria in full.

To apply for the program, interested individuals will be expected to provide the following information to substantiate the selection:

•         Evidence of loss of job due to COVID-19 (letter from the company, etc.) and no other alternative sources of income for the family;

•         Applicant should have land readily available, at least 5 acres with supporting documents;

•         Applicant must be an aspiring crop farmer with the intention to take on full-time farming as a core activity, and;

•         If the farm is located in a rural village setting, a supporting letter from the community leader is to be provided. 

The program will be rolled out from 1st July and application forms will be available from all Ministry of Agriculture Extension stations.

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