Various services provided by the respective divisions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways were on display at the Nasinu Festival in Valelevu grounds today.

The Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Hon. Tomasi Tunabuna while officiating at the festival said that this year’s theme ‘Giving Back to Those Who Gave’, resonates with sentiments expressed by Winston Churchill, who stated “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

He said the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways are committed to fostering a giving nation and cultivating a culture of benevolence.

“The essence of generosity characterises our identity as Fijians. The present of generosity is something that every individual can offer to another, and this act is not reserved for the elite or those of high status,” said Hon. Tunabuna.

He added that in an agricultural context, the act of giving back resembles irrigating the roots of a plant or crop, as it enriches not only the soil but also sustains every living organism within that ecosystem.

“I am consistently impressed by the humility exhibited by our farmers, regardless of whether they are managing extensive fields of dalo and kava, or overseeing numerous feeder cattle or broilers.”

He mentioned that farmers share a bond with the land and take pride in delivering a concrete product that nourishes, provides clothing, or can be transformed into various goods for our expanding population.

“Another notable trait that unites farmers is their unwavering dedication to their communities, both their immediate surroundings and the larger agricultural community.”

Hon. Tunabuna stressed that food security continues to be a multifaceted challenge affecting the lives of millions worldwide.

“The rising occurrence and intensity of natural disasters, labour shortages, elevated prices of agricultural inputs, increased living costs, the reduction of arable land due to urban expansion, and many more have intensified the difficulties encountered by our at-risk communities in obtaining essential nutrition,” he added.

He said the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, is actively striving to guarantee that all individuals have access to adequate, nutritious and culturally relevant food options.

“To promote nutrition security, we implement initiatives such as backyard gardening for those living in urban areas and vulnerable populations, gardening programs for primary and secondary schools, and various community development activities every year,” said Hon. Tunabuna.

He said the rationale for these initiatives is to improve access to and consumption of healthy, nutritious local foods while decreasing reliance on inexpensive ultra-processed foods that are high in salt, fat and sugar which significantly contribute to the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, during the plight of COVID-19, was the nation’s “Beacon of Hope”, and we will continue to provide free seeds to those in our communities and schools.”

He said by fostering collaboration and adopting sustainable and innovative practices, we should be able to transform our food systems for our future and have a zero-hunger world for all.

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