Farm mechanisation is important for several reasons but the most important of them all is increased efficiency, high productivity as well as consistency and quality.

These were the sentiments shared with farmers in Batiki Settlement in Naitasiri this morning by the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu after handing over a $120,000.00 Sany Digger to the owners of Netani Kuila’s Enterprise.

“The digger that is being handed over today is made possible through the ministry’s Farm Mechanisation Program and it is encouraging to note that the Kuila family has been consistent in their farming activities for the past 50 years,” said Hon. Rayalu.

“The family paid one third of the total cost of the machine while the ministry paid for the remaining two thirds. The ministry has handed over machines of this sort to many farming communities across Fiji with the hope that together, we will continue to grow agriculture in Fiji,” added Hon. Rayalu.

In receiving the digger, 44-year-old Netani Kuila Junior and his wife, Vaine, thanked the ministry for their belief in the family farm.

“We have been applying for this assistance for many years and now through our seventh application, we were finally granted the approval to give our one third of funds towards the cost of the machine. We never gave up despite having so many doors closed to our faces,” said an emotional Ms. Vaine.

“I must thank the Coalition Government for bringing about positive changes and giving farmers like us, hope.”

“I must also thank the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways and his hardworking team in the Central Division for their concerted efforts in seeing us through the process of finally getting our own machine. It is indeed a dream come true and the whole family is stoked that our 85 year old father, Netani Kuila Senior, is able to witness this very happy occasion,” explained Ms. Vaine.

Mr. Netani Senior moved from Lau back in 1969 and settled his family on 15 acres of land which they are still toiling today.

“We have now renewed the lease on this land for the third time and we are grateful for being given an opportunity to expand our farming activities.”

Mr. Netani Senior started off with dalo and ginger and through income earned from his sales, he invested in poultry farming and built three chicken sheds.

Now with old age, the farmer has finally retired and has handed over the reins to his children.

For Netani Junior and his wife, it was the point of no return as they knew that they had grasped all the farming knowledge that they could from their mentor.

“This same 15 acres of land in Batiki Settlement holds so many memories of struggles and triumphs and we believe that the land has always been our calling.”

“When the siblings moved out, we branched out to other farms and did not even think of getting employed elsewhere because farming has always been our passion and we know that it has so many benefits for us,” said Netani Junior.

In 2010, Netani Junior and Vaine took up an offer by Goodman Fielder and built five chicken sheds in another piece of land they acquired on Bau Road.

“Every five weeks, we harvest around 75,000 birds and we are grateful for the opportunity to expand into poultry production.”

“The farm here in Batiki is amazingly still engaged in poultry production and we harvest around 25,000 birds per batch. Ninety percent of the land is still dedicated to dalo and ginger.”

“We are grateful that we had our lease renewed a few months ago in our third farm in Wailase, Naitasiri and we are thinking of dedicating it solely for ginger farming,” explained Netani Junior.

Two months ago, the hardworking couple acquired a land adjacent to their chicken farm in Bau Road and they have high hopes of turning it into gold real soon.

“The family have been farming on this land for more than 50 years and now we are grateful to have a machine which will triple our operation capabilities,” smiled Netani Junior.

Ms Vaine added that labour shortage has been an issue for some time now and they had to pay extra money for land preparation works by hiring diggers.

“Now with our own digger, we will surely triple our production and will not have to worry so much about labour shortage,” she smiled.

The family have been supplying their ginger to Frespac Ginger Fiji Limited on a contractual basis whilst their dalo is always supplied to the local markets.

“We haven’t thought about exporting dalo at all as the local markets have always been good enough for us.”

The couple hope that farmers around the country realise that the Coalition Government is opening up a lot of opportunities to all Fijians.

“We have to knock on the doors of ministries and government departments and be persistent. We demand the services that they provide and we must not give up. I urge all farmers in Fiji to visit their nearest agriculture office, sit with the staff, share your dreams and plans and ask that they help you to plan out your farming programs.”

“We must make the first move and invest in the land, invest in time and continue to work hard,” they advised.

Senior Agriculture Officer for the Naitasiri Province, Ms Una Remudu said that perseverance is the key if farmers would like to elevate their farms from subsistence to semi-commercial and commercial levels.

“This farming family has been toiling the land for more than 50 years now and they have never given up. Government assistance comes with a lot of processes and we have always asked farmers to persevere through their own initiatives whilst waiting for assistance.

We will continue to encourage farmers to continue with their farming activities and always make an effort to visit your nearest agriculture station for advice.”

The ministry will continue with the Farm Mechanisation Program in the 2024-2025 financial year.

ENDS

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