Ministry staff plant fruit trees to mark Fiji Day
HE Ministry of Agriculture continued its fruit tree planting programme by planting selective fruit trees at the Sawarua settlement in Lokia, Rewa.
The fruit tree planting programme was organised as part of the Ministry’s annual Fiji Day celebratory commemoration, which began last year with the #IPlanted50 campaign whereby 50 fruit trees were planted in 50 villages around the country.
A similar programme was rolled out this year but with 51 fruit trees to be planted in 51 villages.
While speaking to members of yavusa Vulagi, who had settled at Sawarua, Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Dr Mahendra Reddy said the fruit tree planting programme was intended to complement the assisted community’s current food systems with fruit bearing trees to improve their nutrition security.
Minister Reddy said that though rural and maritime communities had a steady source of staple foods like dalo, cassava and yams, there was always a shortage of nutritional foods available to them.
“While villages may have access to food, it may not necessarily be a balanced diet, and we want our villagers, our people who live there to have not only food security, but nutritional security as well,” he said.
“Balanced growth, fitness and wellness is important. Our mental growth is also vital for our overall success and progress.”
“All in all, this project aligns well with a number of the Ministry of Agriculture’s strategic objectives, most critical of which is securing the food and nutrition security of our citizens.”
Meanwhile, Fredy Dumaru, who spoke on behalf of the yavusa Vulagi, said the agricultural development advice and support shared by Minister Reddy during the talanoa session was a welcomed one.
“Thank you for visiting and choosing our community here in Sawarua, and our yavusa Vulagi is fortunate to have heard from you regarding the areas that we need urgent assistance with regarding our farming, and the assurances given for the development of our growing community,” Mr Dumaru said.
Additionally, home gardening packages were also distributed to households to further enhance their food and nutritional security and complement traditional food sources.
Fruit trees ranging from rambutan, jackfruit, dawa, kumquat, cocoa and coconut were planted as part of the programme at Sawarua.