The village of Rukurukulevu, in the district of Cuvu, Nadroga yesterday received one horse and horse-driven farming implements to help boost production for farmers in the village.

While handing over the equipment and the horse, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy said the animal and implements were being given, specifically to address the lack of small farming equipment available in the village.

He said there was always a need for additional input with regards to furthering a particular agricultural venture, and the assistance was to be used for this purpose.  

“There is only an extent to which we can continue to grow our farms as individuals.

“Considering our manpower and our capabilities, we will always need help in various forms, be it in the form of mechanized farming equipment or through animal-driven farming implements,” said Minister Reddy.

“Whether it’s through horsepower, bullock power or machine power or tractor power, it is important that to push for commercial agriculture, we need additional manpower and that is why we are here today to handover this horse and implements to help you develop your farms further in the hopes of becoming commercial farmers within your areas,” he added.

Minister Reddy has also urged the farmers to utilise the horse-drawn plough, harness and implements wisely and to care for the horse as he looked forward to seeing crop production levels increase in the area.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the village elders and Mataqali members, Mr. Sitiveni Qiliho said the assistance would be put to good use as they already had the basic knowledge of horse rearing and management to be used for their farming activities.

“The Mataqali had wanted to hold a soli so we could buy a pair of bullocks and ploughing equipment to assist our new farmers and help them to prepare their land, and we’re thankful that the Ministry has stepped in by giving us this horse and implements to help us grow more so we can effectively contribute to the economy,” he said.

“Even though the tourism industry is coming up again, I can tell you the villagers quickly realized that returning to farming was important for their food security as it could also secure their economic security as the initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture has been progressing well,” said Mr. Qiliho.

“We would also like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for connecting quickly with us following our request put through to the Ministry for assistance for any animal-driven farming implements because there has been an increase in farming activity in the village with our young men and women exercising the traditional practice of i solesolevaki to grow and expand individual farms as they too were affected by COVID-19 through loss of employment,” added Mr. Qiliho.

The horse handed over to Rukurukulevu Village was caught during Operation Vesu Manumanu.

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