Seruiratu Meets Farmers in the Western Division
The Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Inia Seruiratu has begun his visit to the Western Division. It’s a continuation from the Central Division Tour last week to farmers and stakeholders.
Minister Seruiratu is accompanied by senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture. During the three-day visit, Mr Seruiratu will be briefed on agricultural progress taking place in the Western Division.
The tour includes visitations to farmers as well as agriculture stations of the Ministry.
“The main aim of the visit is to monitor the progress of the agriculture sector particularly the implementations for this financial year.
“We have to ensure funds are well utilised and the implementation rate is also on par with the expectations of Government,” Mr Seruiratu said.
Mr Seruiratu said that the visit will also assist the Ministry to prepare for the next budget.
“The Ministry is preparing for the next financial year. The Agriculture allocation has been increased significantly over the past years and we hope the trend continues.”
The first day of the ministerial visit included the visitation to cocoa farmers in Wainibuka and Ra, yam farmer of Burenitu, banana and organic ginger farmers of Nubumakita, pineapple and livestock farmers of Rakiraki.
“Our stakeholders are very important namely the farmers, processors and exporters and the local communities.
“We need to listen to them and issues that needs the attention of the Ministry and we need to maintain this linkage with our stakeholders.”
Mr Seruiratu added that there has been positive indication on the ground based on production and most of the Ministry assistance programmes have created an impact that the Ministry and Government wants to achieve.
“The Ministry therefore wants to plan early in terms of preparing for the next financial year which is important and of course the seizure of opportunities for the growth of the agriculture sector together with the nutrition well-being of the people of Fiji.” Cocoa farmer of Navuniivi, Nakorotubu in Ra, Josefa Qiokata said he is grateful for the Ministerial visit. “I am thankful that we are not neglected as we farm in far places and we know that there is hope in farming and the commodity we have chosen and today’s visit is a positive feedback of the relationship we have,” he said.
The visit will continue to farmers, exporters and stakeholders in Ba, Tavua and Lautoka and will conclude later this week.”