RECIPIENTS GET BACKYARD GARDEN PACKAGE
The launch intends to counter the increasing need for food production.
Initiatives such as backyard gardening used as a tool to improve household food and nutrition security is the way forward for Fijian families.
This Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development, Jale Sigarara, said this was to counter the increasing need for food production.
He said this during the launch of backyard gardening initiative at Naseakula Village in Labasa yesterday.
“Backyard gardening can be viewed as a key factor to alleviating poverty and a source of nutrition to most households,” Mr Sigarara said.
“I strongly encourage you to start practise backyard gardening in your various communities because it will improve your physical fitness and help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
Fifty households in Labasa were recipients of backyard gardening package, which includes eggplant seedlings, tomato seedlings, a packet each of long bean, cowpeas and okra, fruits trees and fertilizers.
Recipients included teachers. “Each recipient will be required to fill a gardener profile form to allow the Ministry of Agriculture staff to monitor the gardener’s activities and evaluate the impact of the programmer,” he said.
“We seek to positively impact the lives of ordinary Fijians wherever they are.”
A recipient, Karuna Devi of Salusalu Street in Labasa, said she was thankful to the ministry.
“Now I feel more energetic and happy to work in the garden,” Ms Devi said.
Mary Gunuivei, 36, of Naseakula Village, Labasa, said with the additional seedlings she would have more vegetables in her garden. “My family will have a variety of vegetables for meals. I don’t have to buy vegetables from the market,” Ms Gunuievi said.