Josua reaps rewards of hard work
NAIRUKURUKU villager Josua Qaduadua is among a group of tilapia farmers who are reaping the rewards of their hard work.
Mr Qaduadua is a recipient of the Ministry of Fisheries aquaculture assistance which aims to assist tilapia farmers raise and harvest marine resources for the local market.
Through the assistance, the Naitasiri-based farmer was able to harvest 132 tilapia and sell them at $8 per kilogram.
Mr Qaduadua said he was grateful to the Government for the assistance that allowed him to put food on the table for his family.
“I had initially applied for this assistance with the previous government. It might have gotten lost in the pile of applications while I was waiting for approval,” he said.
“I’m thankful that through the Coalition Government, this assistance was finally realised, and I’m able to harvest today.”
The 64-year-old said he was determined to continue aquaculture farming and hoped the Government would continue to support him.
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Kalaveti Ravu said the ministry wanted to promote aquaculture in rural areas and believes the partial harvest and selling of tilapia from aquaculture ponds would encourage the aquaculture program in rural areas.
“We want to send the message to people in our rural communities that there is a possibility in bringing the aquaculture program into various places that are located far away from the sea so that they can also have access to breeding and buying fresh fish,” said Mr Ravu.
He called on Fijians to utilise their resources and take advantage of the assistance provided by the Government.