The new school tractor that was handed over yesterday to Navesau Adventist High School in Wainibuka, Tailevu is a huge positive development for the boarding school.

With 303 students staying in the dormitories, the new tractor will significantly enhance the school’s ability to manage its food resources.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony yesterday, Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu said that the assistance given will surely enhance the agricultural efforts of the school and hopefully enable them to fully utilise their land.

“Through discussions that we had during a visit to the school last year, I am proud to be handing over this tractor to the school and sincerely hope that you will be able to fully utilise it and assist as well with neighbouring farming communities. Government has been handing out these types of assistance so that we are able to assist the greater farming community,” explained Hon. Rayalu.

“Mechanised farming reduces the need for manual labour, which can address labour shortages and reduce the physical strain on workers. In this case, this tractor can surely triple agricultural production in a short span of time giving students and teachers more time for engaging in other farm activities.”

Hon. Rayalu thanked the staff, management team as well as the huge support from the Seventh Day Adventist Church which saw them paying one third of the total cost of the machine.

“I must thank the Seventh Day Adventist Church for their continued efforts in looking after the school and assisting in the payment of $17,000.00. This investment will truly benefit the students of the school with regards to ensuring food security.”

Principal of the school, Mr. Josua Qalobula was truly grateful for the assistance and thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways for ensuring that they were assisted during the 2023-2024 financial year.

“We had actually acquired the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways for land preparation works on our school farm which is situated by the banks of the river. This was for a school garden project that was supported and funded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation.

We had asked Hon. Rayalu for his support if we could purchase our own tractor through the ministry’s Farm Mechanisation Program and through the support of the church, we were able to pay for our one third payment,” smiled Mr. Qalobula.

Mr. Qalobula added that the school initially had a tractor which had served the school for a good number of years. We are just so grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways for this huge assistance and we know that efforts on the school farm will surely increase.”

With this equipment, one thing is for sure and that is the school will expand its farming activities, increase crop yields, and even involve students in hands-on agricultural education.

Farm mechanisation is surely the way forward in terms of increased productivity, cost efficiency, addressing labour shortage and increased soil management.

The school tractor will surely contribute to better food security for the students by reducing dependency on external suppliers and fostering a more sustainable approach to food production.

ENDS

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