Western farmers first to receive Back to Rural Agriculture farm kits
July 28, 2021
_with_the_B2RA_farm_support_kit_recipient_Krishnil_Sumeet_Vikash_of_Navo,_Nadi.jpg)
Picture: ATO Nadi Vinay Sami (right) with the B2RA farm support kit recipient Krishnil Sumeet Vikash of Navo, Nadi.
Ten farmers from the Western Division became the first recipients
of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Back to Rural Agriculture (B2RA) programme,
from the total of 370 that have been confirmed to receive the assistance.
Two farmers from Rakiraki, four from Tavua, two from Nadi and two
from Sigatoka recently received the Back to Rural Agriculture farm support kits
from the Ministry staff.
While officiating at the virtual handing over of the farm
support kits, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment, Hon. Dr.
Mahendra Reddy said the main objective of the program was to support Fijians who had
lost their jobs due to the current pandemic and were now returning to the rural
areas to focus on agriculture.
“We are handing over these kits to
the ten pioneering recipients that were finalized after we went through a total
of 8,147 applications,” said Dr Reddy.
He said from the total
applications received, 4,273 were from the Central Division, 3631 from the West,
161 from Eastern, and 82 were from the Northern Division.
“As expected, close to 90per cent
applications were from the Central and Western Divisions that felt the full force
of the pandemic,” the Minister said.
Dr Reddy said there was an
overwhelming response for this particular package and it demonstrated that Fijians
were now willing to go back to the rural areas and utilize the vacant land for
agricultural expansion which was in line with the Ministry’s Strategic Plan to expand
and utilise land to expand agriculture for commercial use.
“We are pleased to see that about
25per cent (1,886) of the applicants were female employees that had lost their
jobs and were willing to resort to agriculture not only to support their
livelihoods but in turn support the Ministry’s vision to expand agriculture.”
Meanwhile, speaking on
behalf of the 10 farmers, Ms. Salanieta Marseu of Waqadra, Nadi thanked the
Ministry of Agriculture for the support in helping farmers to be a part of the program.
The $400-package includes $250
worth of farm implements and equipment, $50 cash and $100 worth of planting
materials. The farm materials and equipment includes a 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.
The Ministry will continue to hand over the farm support kits to
the other 360 recipients in the coming weeks.
-Ends-
