The training and construction of the Bucalevu Secondary School Fruit Tree Orchard in Taveuni has now been completed and was made possible through the assistance of a team of officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways Research Division.

The training and the construction of the nursery is an initiative under the Commercial Agriculture Development Program (CADP) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways.

The nursery is a new and improved model which will now assist in providing a nutritious diet to around 170 boarding students.

Bucalevu Secondary School is one of the recipients of the initiative with a total project cost of $12,000.00 under CADP.

School Farm Manager Etuate Seruvakatoga said the orchard nursery will help the boarding school in terms of fruits supply and minimising the cost of purchasing fresh fruits for the students.

 “On behalf of the school management, teacher, parents and guardians and the students, we would like to thank the ministry for the huge assistance that has been given to the school,” he said.

“We are also grateful that the ministry came to construct the nursery with particular advice and directions on how to maintain it. We will now improve our fruit tree collection and continue to grow from there,” added Mr Seruvakatoga.

“Before the construction of the nursery, we would depend on wild fruits growing on our farm. But now we have a proper place for raising our fruit trees and of course, transplanting it around our farm.”

“The students are our priority and we always strive to include fruits during meals, so they can be healthy and productive in school. Eating nutritious meals will also help them academically and we cannot wait to start our planting programme,” he said.

“We are planning to raise new fruit tree seedlings and also include other improved varieties, especially the grafted ones as this takes a shorter time to mature.”

Senior Technical Assistant (Horticulture), Sitiveni Ramatalei said the ministry is responsible for monitoring the programme and will be returning after three months for the progress update.

“The nursery constructed at Bucalevu is a closed nursery model; a new model recently introduced, it serves various purposes which include the control of the infestation of pests and diseases, is an air ration nursery and it can also be used to raise both on and off-season vegetables and fruits.”

“The nursery will not only improve food security for the school but will also be a learning model for the students,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways also handed over 50 avocado plants, 70 plantain (vudi) plants and 50 banana seedlings for the nursery.

-ENDS-

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