- KIUVA FARMERS BENEFIT FROM FARMING ASSISTANCE – Farmers in Kiuva village will be able to capitalise on farming activities after the Ministry of Agriculture provided a digger under the Flat Land Development Program in the Central Division.
- NATIONAL ARCHIVES DEPT’ RAISE AWARENESS IN SCHOOLS – The National Archives of Fiji recently carried out an awareness program at the Suva Sangam School to display historical records for the students.
- AGRICULTURE POLICY TO ALIGN WITH REFORMS – The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, will launch the Fiji 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda this evening at the Novotel Convention Center.
1. KIUVA FARMERS BENEFIT FROM FARMING ASSISTANCE
Farmers in Kiuva village will be able to capitalise on farming activities after the Ministry of Agriculture provided a digger under the Flat Land Development Program in the Central Division.
Earlier this year, government through the Ministry of Agriculture bought a digger, a truck, other small machineries and agro inputs totalling $500,000 allocated under the capital program for 2014.
For 62 year old Kelemedi Lagi, this new development will allow them to cultivate land and plant more root crops for their families.
“The only source of income for most of us is farming so through this assistance, we are able to reap the benefits,” he said.
Sharing similar sentiments was Timaleti Rokobatib who said that farming has now improved after the proper drains works were carried out in the village.
“In past we used to more in trying to flatten our land and drainage system were not good however with the assistance provided by government we are more than happy,” she said.
Mrs Rokobati said they have seen the young generation utilising their land and using their time well.
“Compared to the attitude of the young generation 10 years ago, there has been a major change in the mind-set of our youths,” she said.
Principal Agricultural officer in the central division Tepola Seniloli said the digger works will facilitate drainage and farming works undertaken in the village.
“There is alot of farmers in Kiuva and this assistance will be helpful for farmers and avoid flooding on their farmlands with proper drainage,” Mrs Seniloli.
“This will assist farmers because if they hire private contractors then it will be more expensive compared to government charge, farmers will be able to pay $10 for 10 hours,” Mrs Seniloli said.
Mrs Seniloli adds this assistance will greatly assist farmers and will improve food security.
Farmers from Kiuva are involved in planting watermelons, capsicum and root crops, which are then sold to middlemen in Suva and Nausori for income.
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2. NATIONAL ARCHIVES DEPT’ RAISE AWARENESS IN SCHOOLS
The National Archives of Fiji recently carried out an awareness program at the Suva Sangam School to display historical records for the students.
Records on display included a copy of the Instrument of Cession, Lands Claims Commission record and images of chief Governors dating back to 1874 to 1970.
“We’ve had request from schools and organisations to display Fiji’s historical records and we visit areas in orders to raise awareness on the documented history of Fiji as well as the role and functions of the National Archives,”
The archival body has also participated in the Fiji National University open day celebrations in Koronivia to display images of agricultural sectors and references to development of the agricultural sector in Fiji.
“We’ve also had school excursions visits by Dawasamu, Besten College, FNU students and Navosa. For the month of August, the Beqa Yanuca Secondary School Vunisea Secondary School will visit us as part of their educational excursions.”
The NAF has also participated in national events such as the National Youth conference and schools in interior highlands to raise awareness on public’s access to historical information.
NAF will soon take part in the Methodist Church Jubilee celebrations to display the organisation’s historical records.
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3. AGRICULTURE POLICY TO ALIGN WITH REFORMS
The Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, will launch the Fiji 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda this evening at the Novotel Convention Center.
Amongst other things, the policy recognises the important role that the agricultural plays in Fiji’s socio economic development process. The Ministry of Agriculture said this policy realises the benefits of agriculture towards providing opportunities for ordinary Fijians including employment and as a form of revenue. It will also closely align itself with the agriculture reforms under implementation by Government.
The Ministry said that this latest development takes into account the need for a framework that is inclusive of domestic and global challenges. This is in line with food and nutrition security, climate change, feedstock for renewable energy, the utilisation of water resources for aquaculture, agriculture export, and the rehabilitation of its traditional agriculture export industries, the sugarcane and the coconut industries.
This led to the formulation of the Fiji 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda.
The Policy complements the National Green Growth Framework recently launched in Fiji. It provides new dimensions by opening up to global innovations for “climate-smart agriculture” that generate both adaptation and mitigation benefits. The policy also addresses the “sustainable intensification” that will increase production. The holistic and a focused vision of this policy pursue sustainable development with an inclusive approach that will modernize the Fiji’s Agriculture Sector by 2020. It also creates the right atmosphere and incentive for stakeholders in particular the local farming communities and the private sector.
The Fiji 2020 Agriculture Sector Policy Agenda has undergone multi-stakeholder consultations nationwide, with the technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
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