The Fiji Crop and Livestock Council (FCLC) will host Sarami Workshops that could have major benefits for the beef industry said Lavinia Kaumaitotoya, FCLC Secretariat CEO.
The workshops are scheduled for June 6 in Suva and June 10 in Savusavu.
The Sarami Workshops, organised by FCLC funded by AusAID will host a team associated with the highly successful beef industry operation in Vanuatu (including Sarami Plantation owner Peter Colmar and independent meat consultant, Jon Marlow) who will share their expertise that earned Sarami Plantation an Enterprise Challenge Fund (ECF) grant of A$1.375
The grant was awarded to Sarami Plantation because of the success in upgrading its farm operations. Included in the upgrading were improved pastures in a Pacific environment, the production of silage (the first of its kind in the Pacific), improved genetics and a close and mutually beneficial partnership with small beef cattle holder farmers.
The partnership involved small beef cattle holders who benefited in terms of better management of their small herds, pasture management, transport logistics and effective utilisation of bulls supplied by Sarami to improve their stock ultimately increasing farm income.
“We believe that once our farmers better understand the economic benefits in addressing the industry’s most pressing problems, land, seed, bull quarantine issues, and especially the advantage in raising viable calves, there will be significant improvements in the beef industry.
“We are inviting cattle farmers, including FCLC Livestock Association members, and those associated with aspects of the industry to attend. It is our hope that this will lead to further discussions in Fiji and, of course, better results,” Ms. Kaumaitotoya concluded.
The International Trade Centre is facilitating the development of the Fiji Crop & Livestock Council (FCLC) with funds provided by the European Union through its Improvement of Key Services to Agriculture Programme.