The Commercial Agriculture (Land Preparation & Land Clearing) Programme was announced today by Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr Mahendra Reddy, who said that it was designed to lead “Idle Land Development”.

"Time and time again, I have urged Fijians to put idle land under production and this one programme will get that done for you.”

Hon. Reddy said with a total provision of $500K, the programme will ensure that uncultivated, overgrown land which had been left unattended would be cleared and prepared for cultivation.

 

The Ministry is targeting around 150-160 acres to be brought under cultivation through this programme.

“There will be two categories of applicants, Mataqalis / Landowning Units can apply to have up to 10 acres of their land cleared and we have set aside $350K for this category, we are targeting 15 mataqali’s to be assisted,” he said.

“Individuals too can apply to have 2 acres cleared and we’ve set aside $150K for this and are targeting 20 individuals to be assisted,” added Minister Reddy.

“What we envisage from this programme is a maximum return of investment as we are bringing idle land under cultivation and that is something I am excited about because we are boosting the farmers’ production level to another standard.