Toiling the land for nearly his entire life is a norm for 48-year-old Shreedar Maharaj of Dreketilailai in Macuata.

Born and bred in Macuata, Mr Maharaj says that his source of livelihood has always been farming and he is showing no signs of slowing down just yet.

With six acres of native lease under his care, he plants assorted vegetables like bean, coriander, English cabbage, cucumber, eggplant and many more.

“I love planting vegetables as it is also our source of nutritious and fresh food and the surplus is supplied to the Labasa market,” he excitedly explained.

This week, he was the recipient of a new rotovator machine with which he had paid one third of the total cost and the remainder was paid by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways.

“This machine will greatly assist me in my farming activities and will really lessen the time used for land preparation works as I had always been reliant on my faithful bullocks to carry out land preparation works.”

Mr Maharaj thanked the ministry for the timely assistance which he says will increase production on his farm.

“I thank the ministry for thinking of us farmers who live in remote communities. I can’t believe that the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna spared his precious time to come down and hand over the assistance. It just goes to show that this government is committed to assisting all Fijians. I am determined more than ever to lift my farming activities to the next level and to continue to move forward.”

In handing over the assistance, Hon. Tunabuna acknowledged Mr Maharaj’s contribution to the sector and hopes that more farmers across Fiji will learn to value the land and what it has to offer.

“I would like to thank you for your tireless efforts in expanding your farm and please know that we salute you as you are one of the thousands of farmers who contribute a lot of time and effort in helping to feed our nation,” said Mr Tunabuna.

“I believe that this small assistance from government will surely help you to achieve more and assist the agriculture sector in maintaining its core role in feeding the nation and alleviating poverty,” added Hon Tunabuna.

-ENDS-

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