The Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna, took time out to visit staff in the Western Division, beginning today with the Ba office, for the year 2025.

During his visit, Hon. Tunabuna expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the staff, acknowledging the sacrifices and hard work they contribute, despite the various challenges they face.

"On behalf of the Honourable Minister and executive management, I would like to sincerely thank you for your diligence in the execution of your work for our stakeholders, especially farmers. Even though you face challenges, you manage to overcome them purposefully," he said.

He also encouraged the staff to uphold integrity and honesty in their work, emphasizing the importance of staying informed about evolving circumstances in their environment.

"You must be aware of changing circumstances so that you can be agents of change in innovation and science. Try to work smarter and adopt the latest technology in agriculture to continually upskill and empower farmers for greater productivity while ensuring sustainability," he stated.

Hon. Tunabuna further stressed the importance of collaboration among the staff and urged them to work as a team and support each other diligently as this approach will not only benefit the Ba office but also reflect positively on the Ministry as a whole."

Senior Agriculture Officer, Petero Mausio thanked Hon. Tunabuna for his timely visit, especially at the start of the year.

"Your visit is indeed a morale booster for all of us as we aim to lift the standard of our work to greater heights," said Mr. Mausio.

Hon. Tunabuna is scheduled to visit livestock farmers in Ba and Tavua over the next two days to gain first hand insights on how the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways can provide further assistance.

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