Graduate awaits loan package to start farm
After successfully completing a Diploma in Commercial Agriculture, Letila Takala is counting on the Government giving her the $70,000 loan package to start a farm as part of her scholarship.
Ms Takala of Lami was a recipient of the Certificate III Commercial Agriculture Scholarship programme in 2016 and graduated from the Fiji National University last Thursday.
“Upon successful completion of the programme each student is supposed to receive a loan package, which includes (up to) 100 acres of land, a farm house and shed, a tractor, farm tools and implements, fertilisers and $2000 start up cash,” she said.
The 29-year-old aims to boost apiculture in Fiji and has even secured land in Rakiraki to start her farm immediately.
“I plan to use this package to start up my bee farm and integrate it into an eco-tourism destination.
“I am just waiting to receive the title to the 321 acres of virgin land, which I have secured at Nakorotubu Ra.” Originally from Toki Village on Ovalau, Lomaiviti, Ms Takala is the mother of three children and it was a struggle, but she managed to complete her course which mandated one year of theory and 45 weeks of industrial attachment. “I was a single mother to three children, a caregiver to my own mother who was a stroke patient and a guardian to my younger siblings when I came across an advertisement for this agriculture scholarship,” she said.
“It motivated me to believe in myself and strive higher despite the ordeals.
“I want to thank the Government for the opportunity and I hope to be granted access to the the package, which was promised to us.” She thanked her family for their support and endurance during the trying times and is currently focused on implementing the first phase of her project, which will start after she receives the title to her land in Rakiraki.
Ms Takala expressed appreciation to her uncle Ilieasa Tagi Draunidolo for always supporting her.