A total of 20 women’s clusters in the Western Division, have received their Women in Agriculture (WIA) programme packages as part of efforts to upscale the participation and profitability of agricultural ventures managed by women.

While receiving their packages earlier this week, the successful recipients of the Ministry of Agriculture’s WIA programme were acknowledged for their keen interest and contributions towards the development of the agriculture sector.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony in Nailaga, Ba, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy said with the 14% demographic of women farmers, as founded from the Agriculture Census, it was evident that these agriculture households were led soundly by female decision-makers, and had become leading agri-based entrepreneurial ventures in their respective communities.

Minister Reddy acknowledged the important role that women played in agriculture expansion in Fiji, highlighting the rapid expansion of the sector and its correlating export statistics.

“In 2020 our agriculture exports, fresh and chilled produce increased by 14% in volume and 24% in value, this year during the first six months compared to the same period last year, our exports went up by 8%. So we are very encouraged and note the defining role played by women farmers in this leap in export that we had seen last year and this year,” he said.

“We studied some of the women farmers and noted that they are quite decisive, they are quite entrepreneurial and they are a symbol and example in their areas and we decided that we would revamp the existing women in agriculture programme also known as the Cottage Industry Programme.

Minister Reddy shared that prior to this year, programmes such as the WIA and others were not advertised, adding that this year was the first time programmes were advertised online.

“So this year, we decided that all the programmes we have in the Ministry, we will advertise so that everyone has the opportunity to decide whether they would want to apply and I am very happy to see such a massive response. Over 8,000 applications were received for all the programmes which were advertised,” said Hon. Reddy.

“Today we are very proud to celebrate the recipients of the Women in Agriculture programme in Fiji. We received over 990 online applications for the $200,000 allocation that we have and we are providing assistance to about 54 recipients throughout Fiji.

Minister Reddy told the recipients that the assistance given to them should boost their agri-businesses and lay the foundations for further expansion.

“So we are very happy to provide this assistance worth $200,000 and we do hope that this becomes a catalyst to expand your agriculture venture in whatever you do, whether you are in floriculture, nursery, whether you are in horticulture or a root crop farmer whatever agri-based venture you have, we want you to continue to expand.

Meanwhile, Mrs Vani Rokobeta Tera, President of Beautiful Bloom cluster praised Government for the continued support shown towards developing women in agriculture, acknowledging the interventions and advice given by the Ministry of Agriculture to help women excel in their businesses.

“We are very fortunate to be chosen to receive this assistance, it shows the importance being placed on the contribution made by women towards agriculture, be it in floriculture, horticulture or in whatever farming activity we women concentrate on, we’re just happy,” she said.

Mrs Tera has also challenged women around the country to utilise any and all available land for agricultural purposes, whether they chose to take up floriculture or crop farming, the onus was on them to use their time wisely and take up farming.

Eleven women’s clusters in Ba, three in Nadroga/Navosa, and six in Rakiraki received the packages.

Each individual member of the women’s clusters Beautiful Bloom, All in Bloom, Christian Centre Women’s Group, Muanivaju Women's Group, Yanuya Women's Cluster Group, Tavua’s Women Cluster Group, and Home of Flowers in Rakiraki will each receive a $500.00 WIA kit which includes 1 roll of shalon cloth, 1 water tank, hose pipe, water cans, wheelbarrow and planting materials to boost their agriculture activities.

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