PIG FARMERS GAIN THROUGH COUNCIL LINK
Farmers in the pig industry have benefited through a significant reduction in the price of Mill Mix available at Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL).
A near 50 per cent reduction in the price negotiated by the Fiji Crop & Livestock Council (FCLC) underscores the importance the Council can play in helping farmers improve their business, said Simon Cole, chairman of FCLC. “FCLC represents 30,000 farmers among the 14 association that makes up the Council. “Each is challenged by a number of issues and feed and fertilisers are among the most important.
“For instance, if the small pig farmer were to purchase the Mill Mix alone, he would pay a higher price.
“As a member of FCLC, the pig association was positioned to negotiate the substantial discount that still benefited FCDCL as well as the farmers.”
Mr Cole said that the Council is made of up 14 commodity associations: Pigs, Honey, Dalo, Yaqona, Grazing Livestock, Ginger, Cocoa, Agri-Exporters, Rice, and Organics comprise the associations FCLC council.
Created by the Government through a Cabinet decision in July of 2010, FCLC represents the commercial interests of individual commodity associations that comprise the agriculture industry. “FCLC is working closely with Government to better contribute to the well-being of the industry and see itself as a key player in contributing to the development of the agricultural industry,” Mr Cole said.
As the organisation that bridges the gap between commodity farmers and Government, Mrs Daunivalu says that the FCLC continues to support farmers through Government lobbying, provision of agricultural services, and through organising and developing farmers.
Fiji Crop & Livestock Council