Picture : Minister of Agriculture Dr.Mahendra Reddy and Senior Agriculture Staff with Farmers in the Central Division with their Dalo suckers. 

The Ministry of Agriculture handed-over 17,000 tausala dalo suckers to twelve farmers and one cluster group to boost food and income security for the dalo farmers.

 The Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Hon. Dr. Mahendra Reddy while giving out the dalo suckers to the farmers of the Central Division last week said every Fijian household is earmarked to receive assistance through the form of long-term crops for food and nutrition security.

Hon. Reddy said these initiatives are being executed progressively and by the end of this year every household will be provided with the planting materials of the basic long term crops as announced.

He also announced an initiative on incentivizing large commercial agricultural ventures to leverage the sector to meet export targets.

“We are working together with the Agricultural Marketing Authority and Food Processors Fiji Ltd on value-adding; the market will not be an issue. We will try to give you our best assistance, as we want to grow the market outside Fiji,” said Hon. Reddy.

“We want agriculture to be the leading export sector in a few years’ time, as long as we are treating agriculture as a business,” said Hon. Reddy. 

Speaking on behalf of the Central farmers, Mr. Mark Tamanisau of Naisaumua Village acknowledged the commitment shown by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“This is a blessing in disguise especially for me and my family as we both were working for the Fiji Airways. I was one of the flight attendants terminated due to COVID–19 pandemic, this has saved our money to start my farm,” said Mr. Tamanisau.

“I was convinced that these initiatives would bring great opportunities for all of us being assisted and to meet the agreement we have signed today to return the dalo suckers after three years,” said Mr. Tamanisau.

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