Water Tanks to Increase Farm Productivity
Accessing water for agricultural purposes during a drought will be a worry of the past for a group of farmers in the Western Division.
This follows the handing over of water tanks to nine farmers by the Ministry of Waterways to assist with their farming activities. Minister for Waterways, Environment and Agriculture Mahendra Reddy said farmers would be able to produce more and increase farm productivity because these water tanks provide a means of provision for water through sustainable irrigation systems for use during dry seasons.
Minister Reddy said it would help farmers to prepare them to meet demands for local markets as well as for export soon after borders reopen.
He said all farmers around the country would be supported through the Ministry of Waterways to combat the drought period highlighting that land size should not limit farm production with farmers intensifying their activities.
“The Ministry of Waterways through the Irrigation Support for Farm Development Programme aims to supplement irrigation to farmers that will help them to improve the productivity of niche market crops,” Mr Reddy said. Mr Reddy further reiterated that farmers should make use of this Government initiative to improve their livelihood and reduce the vulnerability and risk of crop damage during droughts and prolonged dry periods.
The Ministry of Waterways has assisted nine farmers from Tavua, Nadi and Sigatoka with a 5300 litres water tank and aims to assist more farmers in the coming days. Kaliova Ravuovou, a 55-year-old vegetable farmer at Kabisi Village in Sigatoka thanked the ministry for assisting them with water tanks.
“During the drought season we used to cart water from the river either by horse or sometimes we cart water to the farms ourselves,” he said.
“Our yields are badly affected during this dry period which also affects our household income as we heavily rely on farming as a source of income for our family.”