A review of the continued reliance and dependence on subsidies within the dairy industry was needed in order to further develop the industry.

This was alluded to by Minister for Agriculture Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy while speaking to dairy farmers in Tailevu earlier this week as the culture of dependence in the agricultural sector needed to be addressed, particularly that on subsidies.

The continued issuance of subsidies was an issue, Minister Reddy said, that needed to be re-examined as it would not benefit the industry. 

“We need to clean up the industry in terms of subsidies, and one way to do it is to incentivize farmers rather than handing out subsidies," he said.

“We could increase the price of calf milk accordingly but not subsidies,” Minister Reddy added.

Farmers were strongly encouraged to change their mentality towards receiving subsidies as it led to the culture of dependence rather than fostering farmers’ independence that would assist them in their future.

-ENDS-

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