Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways travelled to Richmond Methodist High School in Kadavu recently to conduct proper fencing training for 15 vocational students and 30 farmers.

Through the Commercial Agriculture Development Programme (CADP), Dairy in School Initiative by the Ministry, the training equipped students with basic knowledge on dairy farm management in preparation for the dairy farm which they hope to expand for the school.

The Head of the Department of Agriculture Science, Mrs. Sera Nailiko, said the students were grateful for the opportunity to learn how to construct fences for a dairy farm as this practical activity enabled the students to apply their classroom learning using the hands-on approach.

"The practical sessions with the agricultural staff have reinforced the skills they learned in the classroom," said Mrs. Nailiko.

She mentioned that the hands-on training for fencing has been very informative for them.

"While most of the students come from a crop farming background, they now have a better understanding of the materials needed and the processes involved in fencing should they venture into dairy farming as well."

"Throughout the fencing training, discussions have been very positive as some students hope to return to their villages and talk to their families on dairy farming as another potential source of livelihood," smiled Mrs. Nailiko.

Sikeli Vasuca, the Ministry's fence training specialist was very satisfied with the hands-on training shown by the vocational students.

"They learned the importance of proper fencing and various fencing techniques to ensure the animals' protection."

He reminded the students about the potential of dairy farming as a profitable option for diversification, especially for those primarily engaged in crop farming.

Principal of Richmond Methodist High School, Viasi Gukirewa is grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways for the huge assistance and says that they are trying their utmost best to turn their school into a self-support school where their meals can be harvested straight from the farm to the students plates.

“We have a total roll of 129 students out of which 67 are boarders. This school has the capacity to enrol 250 to 300 students from across the island of Kadavu. Most families have opted to send their children to the urban centres and we are trying our best to change that mindset and have more students in the coming years because of improved nutritious and healthy meals and quality education,” said Mr. Gukirewa.

“The training was certainly an eye opener and I know that the students have truly appreciated the opportunity to erect the dairy fencing materials which were supplied by the Ministry. We have plans to expand into poultry farming and hope to also produce and supply fresh milk to our neighbouring communities in the near future,” explained Mr. Gukirewa.

The Ministry will also supply the school with heifers, a breeding bull and the construction of a dairy shed.

ENDS

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