Picture: Farmers during the informal talanoa session.

The agriculture sector is a sector that is skill-neutral and does not require a Diploma or a Degree for interested individuals to take up farming at any level.

This was the message shared by Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy to farmers in parts of Fiji during his informal talanoa sessions with them to discuss ways to improve their farming yields and productivity.

“Now agriculture is a sector which does not require any form of tertiary qualification, agriculture is a sector which is skill neutral, all it needs for you to succeed in farming is to have the guile and passion to see it grow,” he said.

Minister Reddy highlighted that during the height of the economic downturns brought about by the COVID-19 global pandemic which led to mass unemployment in the country, it inadvertently spurred a ‘Back to Rural’, ‘Back to Agriculture’ movement. 

“During COVID-19, people who lost their jobs turned to agriculture, they took up farming and returned to their villages, islands and rural areas because, in agriculture, they didn’t need to attain tertiary qualifications like an Accounting Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree in Business etc, there were vast opportunities available for those who unfortunately lost their sources of livelihood, but thankfully enough, they turned to farm.”

“With open arms, our agriculture sector received the recently unemployed and we saw a ‘Back to Rural’ movement, ‘Back to Village’ movement, ‘Back to Island’ movement, ‘Back to Grassroots’ movement,” shared Hon. Reddy.

He also highlighted that the Ministry had initiated a programme – ‘Back to Rural Agriculture’ programme which provided start-up packages to individuals who had just recently lost their employment and had taken up agriculture. 

“It was at that time that we got together and announced a new programme called the Back to Rural Agriculture programme where all those who lost their jobs and were now coming with their families to their villages or rural areas or islands, we gave them a package to assist them as they began their agricultural journey.

Minister Reddy has also called upon the support of village elders to support these formerly unemployed and recent farmers to succeed in their chosen farming ventures.

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