Picture: Nameka Agriculture Station.

165 farming households from 20 localities within the district of Tai Vugalei, Tailevu can now access crop and livestock extension services from the newly commissioned Nameka Agriculture Station. 

After a lapse of 50 years, the Nameka Agriculture station, which was established in the 1980s, was reopened by the Minister for Agriculture, Waterways & Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy, bringing basic agriculture services closer to farmers in the district, who now no longer need to travel to Korovou Town to access the same. 

Speaking to villagers and farmers of Tai Vugalei in Tailevu yesterday, Hon. Reddy highlighted the need to raise the quality of living for Fijians living in rural communities, urging them to utilise all available resources to raise their standard of living.

“You have a vast amount of resources readily available and you should utilize this properly for the future of your children and grandchildren and you must invest in them,” Dr. Reddy said.

“We can do better if we work together, you as farmers and us as the Ministry of Agriculture, in trying to achieve a common goal for the betterment of all involved within the sector,” he said. 

He said the commissioning of the station was also a promise of service delivery to the farmers of Tai Vugalei district. 

"It also portrays our stance on our vision to “Grow Beyond”. We’re growing beyond internal challenges that once delayed our service delivery but that will now be a thing of the past for people here in Nameka. Additionally, we also place great emphasis on staff welfare to provide a conducive environment for the development of the sector. 

Minister Reddy also shared that the growth and development of any country depended largely on the agriculture sector, considering the strategic advantage held by it, as food security was paramount especially during trying times like COVID-19. 

Turaga-ni Koro of Nameka village Manoa Gukinasau said the commissioning of the agriculture station was an auspicious occasion for all members of their community and surrounding villages and settlements, as they no longer had to travel to Korovou to access agricultural services.

“We’re very happy to have these services restored after a lapse of 50 years and we would like to thank and appreciate the Government through the Ministry of Agriculture for resuming such services to village dwellers like us,” he said. 

"The opening of this agriculture station will surely boost the morale of farmers here, especially for the farmers of Tai Vugalei as they are eager to expand their farming to another level and work with the Ministry to enhance their dreams," said Mr. Gukinasau.

The villages of Nameka, Vatukarasa, Natuva and Tonia will be served at the station along with the surrounding settlements of Namoto, Vunisei, Wainicibi, Dalikesa, Lutunabuli, Matainabasaga, Naitiqatiqa, Naiyala, Nakua, Nalikodrau, Naseva school compound, Navunidrala, Coloi, Nasogo, Navau, Uluiravo and Wainikai.

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