Youths in the Naboumahimahi Farmers Cooperative in Lawai Village, Nadroga are grateful to the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways for their brand new Solis tractor which was handed to them recently by the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu.

This assistance was made possible through the Ministry’s Farm Mechanisation Program which allows for farming cooperatives to pay one third of the total amount whilst the ministry pays the remainder of the costs.

Speaking to the villagers during the handing over, Hon. Rayalu praised the youths for their wisdom and foresight and encouraged them to elevate their farming status to the next level.

“I encourage you to move forward with your farming programs. I believe you have goals which you will work towards in terms of agricultural development and ensuring food and income security for your families and the community as a whole,” said Hon. Rayalu.

“Agriculture is the primary source of food production. It ensures that communities have access to a variety of nutritious foods, from vegetables to fruits and livestock products. By cultivating local crops and raising livestock, agriculture reduces dependency on imported foods, which can be subject to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions,” explained Hon. Rayalu.

“I want youths to know that agriculture provides jobs for a significant portion of the global population, from farmers and laborers to agribusiness professionals. Agricultural activities contribute to the GDP of many countries, supporting rural economies and contributing to national economic stability.”

“For many, farming is a primary source of income. This income supports families, and communities, and can foster further economic development through increased investments and this of course can drive rural development, improving infrastructure, education, and healthcare in our communities,” added Hon. Rayalu.

The Naboumahimahi Farmers Cooperative Advisor, Aminiasi Kunagado expressed his gratitude to the ministry on behalf of the youths and said that it is indeed a timely boost to their farming program.

“Naboumahimahi Farmers’ Cooperative started in 2020 as a Tokatoka Youth cluster and later registered in 2022 as a cooperative with a total of 20 members,” explained Mr. Kunagado.

“We have a vision on how to tackle unemployment and to do that, our youths have been strongly encouraged to toil their land and plant extensively.”

“We have been planning and working towards our goals and now that we have been handed our tractor, we can now work towards further enhancing our farm productivity and create employment within the village.”

“Our elders have given us land to lease which we hope to utilise with livestock and a portion of it to grow a fruit orchard. We have been using the ‘solesolevaki’ approach where we dedicate a day every week to work on the farm as a group,” added Mr. Kunagado.

 “Our long term plan includes supplying our agricultural produce to the local markets as well as the hotels in the Western Division.”

Through smart agricultural partnerships, the Naboumahimahi Farmers Cooperative also received 50 trays of eggplant seedlings which will be planted straight after land preparation works are carried out.

Parmend Singh is a farmer and a seedling supplier in Nabitu, Sigatoka and has been farming all his life.

The hardworking farmer said that he wanted to be part of the celebrations and to encourage the youths in Lawai to work hard.

“Life is full of challenges and the onus is on each of us to utilise the land for farming. There are so many youths in our towns and cities that are wasting their time doing nothing. I thank the youths in Lawai for their dedication and commitment in utilizing their land for farming and hope that they will continue to thrive in the future,” said Mr. Singh.

By supporting agricultural initiatives, such as the donation of seedlings and the provision of farming equipment, communities can enhance their food security and strengthen their economic resilience.

Mr. Singh’s thoughtful gesture is a wonderful example of solidarity among farmers. With the new tractor from the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, the cooperative will have the tools to prepare their land efficiently, and the seedlings will provide a valuable addition to their farming efforts.

This kind of cooperation can make a significant impact on local agriculture, improving productivity and helping farmers to support each other. It's also an excellent way to ensure that resources and knowledge are shared, fostering growth and resilience in the farming community.

ENDS

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