Four million trees

Ronnie Chang, Nadi

As Fiji bravely and very optimistically strives to attain planting four million trees in four short years or 2740 trees per day, every day, here are a few pointers, I would like to share with all concerned in the decisionmaking process of this bold national initiative.

To help improve the daily-living standards and economic wellbeing of all rural communities, I make this humble suggestion to the Extension Service Unit of our own Agriculture Department, to consider, where possible, subject to soil types, weather conditions and availability of land based on population. Is it worth implementing the commercial farming of the following fruits: ivi (Fijian chestnut), vutu (nut similar to the taste of almonds), wi (spondius dulcis), dawa (longan), moli kana (jumbo citrus), star apples, guava, lemons, limes, oranges, tamarind, jackfruit, mango varieties, cherry guavas, pawpaws and soursop.

Proper training, controlled commercial farming methods, monitored pruning of trees, proper harvesting to avoid bruising, quality packaging and storage, marketability etc.

All the above can be served daily in all our hotels, resorts, restaurants, cruise vessels, hospitals, correctional centres, homes for elderly etc.

They are also excellent cash crops for all our roadside stalls and ease stresses from poverty.

Food for thought for all future generations and preserving our local fruit some are hardly seen nowadays.

Fiji can easily take a page out of foreign countries who handle commercial farming of various fruit and nuts etc but on a miniscale, for starters and eventual steady expansion.