AGRO MARKETING LAUNCHES
Waito Farms in Tailevu
The Fiji Agromarketing has successfully secured an 800-tonne order for Ginger. Given the volume of the order, the AMA had been looking for Farmer Clusters to ensure a consistent supply at the right price.
Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) is also on the lookout for demonstrated commitment and dedication from potential Farmer Clusters.
The locality also needed to be chosen with care, due to the planting requirements of the green ginger.
After speaking to multiple interested clusters, the AMA has finally awarded the task of growing this produce to Waito Farms Pte Limited.
The Minister for Agriculture, Waterways, and Environment Mahendra Reddy launched this initiative yesterday at Waito Farms in Tailevu.
He thanked the Directors of Waito Farms Pte Limited for coming on board to plant ginger, duruka, dalo, and chillies for the AMA.
Along with Waito Farms, he will be launching some other commercial farms shortly and more Farmer Clusters will be coming on board as contracted farmers with the Fiji Agromarketing in the coming weeks.
Minister Reddy says: “I am very happy that the villagers from Waito Village will benefit from the operations of Waito Farms Pte Limited as it will mean secured employment for them.
“They will now find employment in their own locality rather than having to travel long distances to find employment.”
He further added: “I would like to urge the Directors of the Waito Farms to ensure that the produce is planted and grown in a timely manner, good husbandry practices are ensured, and that the produce is appropriately handled during the harvesting process.
“This could lead to the Waito Farms getting more orders to grow more quantity of these produce. “The Ministry of Agriculture is providing all the planting materials to Waito Farms, who are expected to return these seeds in three years’ time. In addition, our Ministry will also provide technical assistance for this project too.” Mr Reddy added.
Waito Farms Pte Limited
Hirdesh Prasad – a Director of Waito Farms Pte Limited stated that the guaranteed commitment to take all the produce, price commitment, and that too at Farm Gate level, is what convinced the Waito Farms directors to plant the targeted crop for the AMA.
It would have not been possible if the guaranteed commitment was not there.
This is evidence that the Fiji Agromarketing is putting their plans into action to assist its contracted farmers in getting access to the relevant markets.
Mr Prasad thanked the Honourable Minister for the excellent vision being displayed through the various Ministry of Agriculture initiatives in making Agriculture a billion-dollar industry in Fiji. He also thanked Fiji Agromarketing chief executive officer, Alvin Sharma, for his leadership in taking the Fiji Agromarketing to greater heights.
He added that he is confident that the Fiji Agromarketing will now reach new levels of success. He suggested that other Farmer Clusters should also come on Board with the Fiji Agromarketing as this is a great opportunity for them to improve their livelihoods.
“The Farmer Clusters also need to understand that the Farmer Contract concept is a partnership where they will also need to provide necessary resources such as getting land prepared, farms cultivated, and not expect everything for granted from the Ministry of Agriculture,” says Mr Prasad.