Development strategies
I HOPE the amenable coalition Government who possess ingenuity and gumption would contemplate the enumerated issues with alacrity which I believe would educe and revolutionise our nation to unprecedented heights.
In view of the burgeoning inflation due to the volatile global situation as currently experienced from the ongoing Russia vs Ukraine war especially on fuel, wheat, fertiliser and other imported goods because of paucity and exorbitant freight cost, the primacy must be on food security to absorb similar external shocks emanating from war, famine, conflagration, deluge and pandemic etc.
The current war in is unpredictable. It’s prolonging and might spiral out of control after recent attacks on the nuclear plant and subsequent escalatory military assaults be disastrous for us all pervasively. Closer to home, the conflict concerning Taiwan is perilous as any miscalculation by the warring countries would be irreversibly catastrophic as was the case prior to WWI.
Hence, I firmly believe that the new Government should venture into the following for our sustenance without any delay or reservation:
■ Dairy farming to be introduced in Bua Province. There is ample land available to develop and sustain it. Milk can be transported to the processing plant in Rewa daily via ferry service if installing a plant in Bua would require exorbitant capital investment. We’ll have sufficient dairy products for domestic consumption and the surplus for export;
■ Sheep and goat farming to be boosted throughout the country on a massive scale so that we are self-sufficient with no import and the surplus for export;
■ Rice cultivation must be intensified to the level to attain self-sufficiency and surplus exported;
■ Garlic, ginger, turmeric and other spices must be highly incentivised until we have surplus to export;
■ Cassava flour to be harnessed for potential use by melding minimum wheat and hopefully with other cereal products such as corn etc. Reduce reliance on imported wheat. Since wheat is a staple food, it’s imperative to have an alternate food source available;
■ We must attain autarky especially on food items; and
■ Plant more sandalwood trees and introduce Radiata Pine and Hoop Pine to sustain the timber industry that has made massive capital investments and employs thousands of workers and possibly other trees that mature faster for its potential use that would supplement and substitute the native trees eventually.
Furthermore, the Government must go green energy. All houses must be solar powered from the abundance of sunshine available. Motor cars can run on solar powered panels. Introduce vehicles that operate with electricity/hydrogen from India who are revolutionising this industry. Reduce importation of fossil fuel.
Patently, I perceive pursuing the issues enunciated would substantially increase our GDP, earn more foreign exchange, reduce inflation, provide employment, create wealth, and eradicate poverty, crime and other social ills. The magic words for growth and development in all spectrums of life is peace, progress and prosperity. This is the only way forward.
Preponderantly, I sincerely hope that an international airport, a harbour and by-pass road plus a bridge is seriously contemplated for Labasa Town and Vanua Levu that would be seminal and provide impetus for other industrial developments such as garment, mineral water, agricultural products, fisheries, timber products (Mahogany logs are available) etc. As the old aphorism goes, where there is a will, there is a way and the sky is the limit.
RAVIND CHANDRA NAIDU
Tuatua Branch Rd, Labasa