President encourages Rotuma to go organic
THE President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote met with the Rotuma Council in efforts to make Rotuma an organic island.
During his recent visit, President Konrote said that the first problem Rotuma must combat is the presence of the fruit fly which has been a threat to fresh produce. Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) is working around the clock to eradicate the issue in Fiji and Rotuma.
For Rotuma to be declared as an organic island, all farming systems and products should comply with Pacific Organic Standards, which describes the requirements for organic production.
It covers plant production, animal husbandry, bee-keeping, collection of wild products and aquaculture, and also the processing and labelling of products derived from these activities.
President Konrote also highlighted the importance of backyard farming and promoted the FIJI50 logo during his visit.
Rotuma Council representative from the Juju District, Sa’au Sosefo said the visit was an opportune time for the people of Rotuma to update and be updated by the President on their plans for FIJI50. Mr Sosefo said the council works with the seven district chiefs around Rotuma to help the Government look after the people living there.
“We are glad that we have been assisted by the Government in the upgrading of our new hospital and fixing the wharf after it was damaged.”
President Konrote also informed the people of Rotuma of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Fiji’s economy and the importance of abiding by the laws put in place by the Government to keep everyone safe.
President Konrote also met with civil servants based in Rotuma and thanked them for their hard work and urged them to keep working diligently.