Bua farmers get hand-held tractors
Rice farmer clusters of Vunivau, Korokadi, and Bakale in Bua received one hand-held tractor each from the Ministry of Agriculture to assist them in their rice cultivation and production. While handing over the hand-held tractors to the three farming groups yesterday, Minister for Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy, said the assistance would be used to increase rice production and improve the livelihood of the farmers.
“The entire country has now realised the importance of agriculture with people being laid off from work and having reduced working hours, they are now turning to farming, and through such assistance, we want you to know that the entire country has realised the agriculture sector’s importance,” he said.
Mr Reddy said some countries were worried about their food security when there is no economic activity, but Fiji is much secure in terms of food security.
“We import 80 per cent of our rice from Vietnam and the rest from Thailand as it is very expensive and that is the reason we are promoting rice to become 100 per cent selfsufficient in rice in a couple of years,” Mr Reddy said.
Farmers were informed that the ministry would be providing rice seeds to non-rice farmers to plant a quarter-acre of rice. Fiji Rice Limited will purchase the rice.