This current financial year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways has been implementing nine work programs nationwide worth FJD16.65 million and four donor projects worth FJD480, 000.

The update was shared by the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Vatimi Rayalu in a Written Response earlier this week in parliament.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways is actively engaged in numerous projects to enhance waterways, improve drainage and irrigation, and mitigate flooding and climate-related risks.

These are categorized as follows:

The Drainage and Flood Protection Program includes eight riverbank stabilization projects, which are to benefit the general public at the following locations:

Sawani Village, Naitasiri - $280,000.00.

Matainoco Village Rewa - $300,000.00.

Naivilaca Village, Rewa - $350,000.00.

Bualomanikoro Village, Bua - $80,000.00.

Waciwaci Village, Lakeba - $250,000.00.

Yavusania Village, Nadi - $200,000.00.

Naviyago Village, Lautoka - $280,000.00.

Mavua Village, Nadroga/Navosa - $50,000.00.

The Coastal Protection Program comprises nine projects to benefit those living in:

Ovea Village, Tailevu - $650,000.00.

Nasilai Village, Tailevu - $50,000.00.

Lakeba Hospital, Lakeba-Lau - $281,620.00.

Nawaisomo Village, Beqa - $241,022.75.

Navolau 1 Village, Ra - $200,000.00.

Somosomo Village, Taveuni $30,000.00.

Marou Village, Yasawa - $50,000.00.

Ketei Village, Totoya – Lau -$250,000.00.

Navunievu Village, Bua - $70,000.00.

Under the Watershed Management Program, the Ministry has commenced the construction of the Qalinabulu Creek Flood Retention Dam in the Upper Ba River Catchment worth $350,000.00.

Complementing this, the River Dredging Program is nearing completion of three kilometers of the Ba River Mouth Channel worth $6,508,745.00, with 373,000 cubic meters of silt removed to mitigate flooding.

The Irrigation Support for Farm Development Program, 15 irrigation kits have been distributed worth $138,000.00 to farmers in the Western, Central, and Eastern Divisions to combat drought.

Additionally, a Gravity-fed Irrigation Dam has been completed at Vola Settlement, Cakaudrove, worth $69,000.00.

The Maintenance of Rice Irrigation Schemes Program has serviced seven out of eight existing schemes:

Navua Rice Scheme - $21,428.57.

Dreketi Rice Scheme - $21,428.57.

Nasarawaqa Rice Scheme - $21,428.57.

Korokadi Rice Scheme - $21,428.57.

Droca Scheme - $21,428.57.

Bua Scheme - $21,428.57.

Vunivau Rice Scheme - $21,428.57.

The Maintenance of Drainage Systems (Non-Municipal) Program falls under the purview of the re-established Drainage Boards.

The Central Division Drainage Board has completed works at the:

Korovisilou Village, Serua Province - $39,600.00.

Military Ground, Bayview Heights - $11,500.00.Dreketi,

Rewa - $42,228.00.

Namara, Tailevu - $13,476.00.

Serua - $1,380.00.

Matainavuso Creek, Tailevu - $29,670.00.

Sauniwaqa, Rewa - $23,000.00.

Koronivia $18,975.00.

The Northern Division Drainage Board is currently working on the:

Flood gate installations at Novoalau, Malau, Korovatu, Nagigi, Wailevu, and Soasoa - $94,500.00.

Desilting works at Vuniyalayala, Waikisi, Sarava, Kelikoso, Bocalevu, Qelewaqa, Belego, Nabua Area 2, Droca Area 2, Korotari Area 2, Korokadi Areas 1 & 2, Valelawa Area 1, Dreketi Stage 2, Nasarawaqa, and Dreketi Irrigation - $232, 150.00.

Earth-bund seawall upkeep at Wailevu, Tiri, Soaosa, Nagigi, and Naleba - $7,000.00.

The Western Division Drainage Board is conducting drainage improvements at:

Raviravi, Navatu, and Togalevu (Ba) - $50,337.00.

Solovi, Nadi - $35,088.00.

Nabuna, Toko, and Balata (Tavua) - $60,078.00.

Caboni, Rakiraki - $10,350.00.

Drasa and Naviyago (Lautoka) - $67,803.00

Lomawai Scheme (Sigatoka) - $47,633.00.

As a result of delays in the tender process for machinery hire contracts in the Northern, Central, and Eastern Divisions, the Drainage for Rural Residential and Drainage for Farmlands Programs were exclusively implemented in the Western Division this year. These contracts are expected to commence smoothly in the next financial year.

The Rural Residential Program covers:

Sigatoka: Vunikavika Settlement, Naqalimare, Rakirakilevu - $13,147.00.

Nadi: Nasau, Wailoko - $12,075.00.

Lautoka: Buabua - $7,081.00.

Ba: Togalevu, Sigave, Mataniqara, Votua - $16,272.00.

Tavua: Vanuakoula, Tavualevu, Nabuna, Balata, Nasivi, Natawa,

Korovou - $61,978.00.

Rakiraki: Namara, Matawailevu - $70,035.00.

The Farmlands Program include:

Sigatoka: Naqalimare Village, Tonuve, Nadrala, Muka, Ciri, Jubeirata,

Waibogi Settlement - $64,497.00.

Nadi: Naisoso, Naboutini, Nawaicoba - $32,602.00.

Lautoka: Buabua - $3,519.00.

Ba: Busabusa, Varoko - $12,420.00.

Tavua: Vanuakoula, Mataniwai, Nabuna - $41,601.00.

Rakiraki: Rarapatu, Rukuruku, Qalau, Penang, Waimicia, Malau,

Colasi, Volivoli - $70,495.00.

These initiatives are vital to addressing both immediate and long-term challenges in water management and agricultural productivity.

Funding for the current financial year includes:

97.19% of projects (126 total) which were locally financed - $16,650,000.00; and

2.80% (4 projects), which were donor-supported (KIWA initiative and Soqosoqo Vaka Marama) - $480,000.00.

These include nature-based seawalls constructed at Navolau No. 1 Village; and Somosomo Village which is a KIWA Initiative Program.

River Bank protection works for Yavusania Village, and Marou Village Coastal Protection project which is being supported by the Soqosoqo Vakamarama ni Yasana o Ba.

The Ministry is finalizing a USD 5.2 million grant agreement with the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Adaptation Fund Project for the “Strengthening the Adaptive Capacity of Coastal Communities of Fiji to Climate Change through Nature-Based Seawalls”.

This will fund 14 Nature-based Seawalls at:

Nadroga/Navosa Province: - Tagaqe Village and Nabila Village.

Ra Province: - Nayavuira Village, Nayavutoka Village, and Saioko Village.

Macuata Province: - Qaranivai Village, Soqobiau Village, Visoqo Village, and Namama Village.

Cakaudrove Province: Saqani Village, Sese Village, Tawake Village, and Loa Village.

Lomaiviti Province: Nabuna Village, Koro Island.

The Ministry is dedicated to maintaining transparency and efficiency, ensuring that all project updates are accessible to the public via our official portal.

ENDS

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