Model farm to assist farmers
TEN farmers who are members of the Drasa Johnson Vegetable Farmers’ Cooperative model farm are now actively involved in assorted vegetable farming all year round.
Thanks to the implementation of the “Building community resilience to climate change through civil society action”, project funded by the European Union.
The project was commissioned at Drasa on the outskirts of Lautoka this week.
The EU ambassador for the P ac ificSujiro Seam said the newly commissioned model farm would enable practical training for farmers using smart agriculture techniques, which had become necessary in the face of climate change.
“The EU support to the Drasa Cooperative model farm is aligned with the Agriculture’s Strategic Development Plan of the Government of Fiji, which aims at boosting food security and nutrition, diversifying the production of assorted fruits and vegetables,” Mr Seam said.
“It also increases farmers’ household incomes, improving commercial agriculture as well as modernising agriculture and supporting climate-smart agricultural methods.”
The project has enabled these 10 growers to set up a hydroponic system, a drip irrigation system and a small nursery and these have assisted them with continuous production during dry weather, minimise water wastage and maintain production at optimum level.
The model farm would also allow them to generate their own seedlings on time during the main season and reduce the cost of procuring seedlings from private nurseries.
The EU has committed nearly $1.7 million towards this threeyear project and has engaged a number of local civil society organisations.