Tractors to enhance agricultural capabilities in government schools
THREE government schools received five state-of-the-art SOLIS tractors, marking a transformative step towards bolstering their agricultural capabilities. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka, while officiating at the handover in Waila recently, emphasised that the event was not just an exchange of machinery but the empowerment of schools to nurture development, particularly in the realm of food security.
“The Ministry of Education, being the largest in the country with a budget exceeding $800 million and expected growth, poses a significant responsibility. It challenges us to produce what our nation truly needs,” he said.
DPM Gavoka shared an anecdote from his recent visit to Bau Island, where discussions with the Australian High Commission focused on addressing skill gaps.
He raised the question of how to replace lost skills, acknowledging the inevitability of global labour mobility and stressing the need to prepare the local workforce to fill emerging gaps urgently.
Emphasising the global threat to food security, he noted that Fiji was already experiencing its impact, as identified by the United Nations.
“The handover of this equipment today, along with the discussions, indicates our wish and concern that food security should be paramount in our thinking and planning. The United Nations identifies food security as the biggest threat to mankind, and we are already witnessing its impact in Fiji.”
DPM Gavoka highlighted the significance of the assistance as it would help these schools ensure food security and convey the message to students that this was a future challenge.
“Food is fundamental, no matter where you are. For the future of our country, we need to continue emphasising this message. It will also contribute to the Government’s budget if schools can sustain some of their requirements.”
DPM Gavoka has urged the school leadership to instil in students the importance of food security.
“Let’s grow our people to appreciate that this is the challenge of the future, and we must rise to meet it,” he urged.
The three schools receiving the tractors were Adi Cakobau School, Ratu Kadavulevu School and Queen Victoria School.