Donated Vehicles Boosts Agriculture Sector

Minister Seruiratu happy; acknowledges government of India’s support to Fiji

The government of India donated two Mahindra vehicles and two tractors worth over $200,000 to the Agriculture sector at the Koronivia Research Station in Nausori yesterday.

Minister for Agriculture, Rural Maritime Development and National Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu says he is thankful to the government of India for their technical assistance to Fiji. “I thank and acknowledge the government of India’s support to Fiji under the bilateral development cooperation that was signed in 2006 and has been further extended for another three years. “We are very pleased with this cooperation to further develop a strong partnership between the two countries through the technical assistance programme,” he said. “Today I am happy to see the new vehicles added to our fleet which we have waited patiently for.

“The two vehicles will be used solely for the sheep breeding programme under the Animal Health Production Division and the Fiji Agriculture Statistics Unit that are undertaking our statistical survey in order to establish the Ministry’s much needed agriculture statistics.” Indian High Commissioner to Fiji Vishvas Sapkal said he was happy to be a part of the development process in the agricultural sector of Fiji. “The machinery handed over today is to help the economy to rise in agriculture sector as Fiji imports and exports various food items and vegetables.

“Agriculture sector in Fiji is a vital part of the economy and when this type of revolutions comes, naturally the production of goods get high which will generate better revenue and grow our economy,” Mr Sapkal said. Edited by Paula Tuvuki