Farmers of the Dravuni cluster in Tailevu received an irrigation kit worth $6000.00 from the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, under the 2023/2024 Irrigation Support for Farm Development Program.

Senior Technical Officer (Central) of the Waterways Division, Josefa Waqa, while handing over the irrigation kit on Wednesday 21^st August, encouraged the farmers to make use of the assistance for farming, to benefit both their family and circuit members.

The Dravuni cluster is a Methodist church cooperative comprising men from Visama, Muana, Nakaulevu, and Vunivaivai villages.

Mr. Waqa said the assistance was given to elevate the standard of living for farmers.

“The Ministry is working on lifting the standard of living of farmers by assisting them under programs that will improve farming performance,” he said.

“The irrigation system is usually for farmers in dry areas like the Western and the Northern divisions. But because of the rapidly changing weather patterns, the system is also suitable for the Central Division and it will solve the problem that the members are currently facing,” said Mr. Waqa.

“As we have witnessed through climate change, what used to be cultivated and harvested before is not the same anymore, and with this irrigation kit and other assistance provided by the ministry, farmers will be able to combat climate change and produce more crops.”

Mr. Waqa also reminded the group to use the machines responsibly.

Cluster leader Keteliti Tuisovuna thanked the ministry for the much needed assistance which will lessen the problems that they face especially on their vegetable farm. 

“The group was formed to assist the farmers who are part of the Dravuni Methodist circuit. One objective of forming the group was to sustain them through agriculture, which will also help them contribute individually to the church, vanua, and families,” said Mr. Tuisovuna.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways in the 2023/2024 financial year distributed 11 irrigation kits, seven in the western division and four in the central to assist farmers in dryland areas.

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