Five new capital programs have been included in the Ministry of Agriculture’s new financial year budget, revealed Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy.

These were Commercial Farmers Equity Package ($500,000), Highland Farming ($500,000), Spices Farming ($100,000), Promotion and Production of Organic Fertiliser ($190,000), and the Refurbishment of Veterinary Clinics ($500,000). 

The Minister said despite the slight reduction in the new budget, he was still appreciative of the Agriculture’s ‘slice of the pie’.

“Yes, it’s a slight decrease of $3.4m from the current financial year which was $65.3m but I am confident that my Ministry will be able to effectively utilize every cent prudently. I would like to thank the Hon. Attorney-General and Minister for Economy for our allocation and also for delivering a well thought-out budget that takes into great consideration the plight of Fijians during this current COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. 

Dr Reddy explained the Commercial Farmers Equity Package would support 30 commercial farmers to access commercial banks, loan facility to further develop their farming business and venture into export market. 

“The Highland Farming Program is intended to facilitate the expansion of crop production through infrastructure improvement to potential farming areas in the Province of Ra. 

“The objectives of this Program are to improve market access to the rural farming communities through the provision of infrastructure development that will stimulate socio-economic growth in terms of mass production of commodities such as dalo, yams, pulses and assorted vegetables; and to modernize agriculture by providing assistance to potential commercial farmers through the procurement of farm machines, agro inputs, draft animals and implements,” he explained. 

The Spices Farming Program, the Minister added, targeted Turmeric including other Spice crops in consideration of their demand both in the local and export market.

“The average production for turmeric alone for the past five years is 1126.8 metric tonnes with export growth rate of 54.8%. Other spices average production for the past five years is 595.2 metric tonnes with export growth rate of 4.6%. 

“The budget allocated for this program will cater for new and existing farmers in Tailevu, Naitasiri, Namosi, Navosa, Ba and Ra in the provision of planting materials, land preparation with good package of practices,” he said.

The Hon. Minister explained with the Promotion and Production of Organic Fertiliser Program which started in the current financial year saw the production and supply of bacterium culture solutions and the establishment of organic compost sites in Viti Levu. 

“The Organic Agriculture sector aims to address the following as identified in Fiji’s National Development Plan (3.1.4 ‘Food and Nutrition Security’, 3.2.12 ‘Non-Sugar Agriculture’); develop and introduce organic farming methods to farmers and provide incentives for organic farming, and investment in greenhouse and hydroponic technology; continue initiatives to improve the use of farm waste for animal feed, organic fertilizer or biogas.

“Organic fertilizers contribute to reducing wastes and pollution of watersheds, rivers, coastal ecosystems and marine life. It also contributes to healthy foods and combating NCDs and it’s linked to the Ministry's Five Year Strategic Development Plan (SDP); SP 1 –Food and Nutrition Security, SP 3- Improve the adoption of Sustainable Management and Climate Smart agriculture, SP 4 – Establish and improve commercial agriculture. 

The final new program, the Minister explained was the Refurbishment of Veterinary Clinic to upgrade veterinary clinical equipment and clinic renovations that would improve the delivery of quality veterinary clinical services to livestock producers, protecting animal health and welfare, safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety. 

“Some of the Ministry’s operating veterinary clinics and the equipment used has never been upgraded for the 20-30 years. The equipment is rusted, unsalvageable and should not be used in its current state. There is a need to modernize our infrastructure and equipment in order to deliver quality clinical services,” he said.

“In addition, to ensure that international standards are met, there is a need for ongoing professional development of veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals.”

The Ministry of Agriculture’s budget for the new financial year 2021-2022 is $61.9m. 

-ENDS-

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