The Ministry of Agriculture's Dawasamu Station which suffered major structural damages during Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016 was commissioned today.

The newly commissioned Dawasamu Agriculture Station and Quarters was designed according to Category 5 building standards to withstand future natural disasters of the same ferocity. 

While officiating at the commissioning of the station today in Dawasamu, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy said Government's focus remained on bringing services closer to all Fijians, regardless of geographical location.

"While you're right in the interior here or any farmer for that matter, even if they're situated in the maritime zone, and are far away from the main business centre's, you are not forgotten, you will never be forgotten," he said.

"Our presence here is in the form of our officers and the services available for your fellow Fijians living in urban areas will also be available here for your ease of access.

Minister Reddy said the commissioning of the station and the quarters was also a sign of renewed vigor from the Ministry' perspective and an indicator of its commitment to service delivery.

Meanwhile, he also called on all farmers in the district of Dawasamu to maximize on the Ministry's presence by taking advantage of the opportunities that abound for Fiji's local agriculture sector and to produce for the increasing demand of local agricultural produce in all markets, particularly for the export market. 

Minister Reddy also highlighted the silver lining to COVID-19, which was the mass return of Fijians to agriculture based activities, seeing an influx of a back to rural movement from Fijians whose livelihoods were greatly affected by the pandemic.

"Over the last 18 months, we have seen a massive movement of people, instead of a rural to urban drift, it was a back to rural movement because people realized that through agriculture, they had a secure source of livelihood and this is why I stress the strategic advantages that are available within the sector and COVID has revealed that if you take up agriculture, you have control over your life and your future," he said. 

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