Woman on Horseback to Help Farmers Awarded
Shaleshni Shafeen who many times rode on horseback to provide technical advice to farmers on Taveuni Island was recognised for her efforts yesterday.
The 32-year-old scooped the highest number of awards during the Ministry of Agriculture Northern Staff Award in Labasa. The mother of one is now the Acting Agriculture officer for the Agriculture Department in Savusavu.
She received the Northern Division Overall Award, Best Crop Extension for Savusavu and Overall Winner for Cakaudrove Province.
“I started working in the ministry in 2003 as an agriculture assistant and since then I had been motivating myself to work hard,” Ms Shafeen said.
“The most challenging experience I had was when I crossed a river at Vuinadi Village in Cakaudrove at eight different locations to conduct a farmers meeting.
“I had and still work with so many farmers and there are difficult times when they pour out frustrations.
“How you deal with a person in front of you or over the phone defines who you are.
“I believe in being patient and treating everyone equally without discrimination. “I would like to thank all the Northern Division staff for their support and not forgetting my husband who is also in the ministry.” Assistant Minister for Agriculture Viam Pillay said: “Throughout my visit until today, I have been humbled by the commitment you have all shown in your work.
“I have personally witnessed first hand the difficulties most staff have had to put up with