Farmer Receives $3K to Expand Farm
Asugarcane farmer of Nabekavu, Labasa can now expand his farm after becoming the first to receive $3000 thanks to the Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) and Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF).
Avinesh Prasad is the first to benefit from a memorandum of understanding signed by the two organisations last year that targets working class people, who have a contribution of 33 per cent to the Fund, and want to buy or develop their sugarcane farms.
He received the assistance at the SCGF office in Labasa yesterday. “I am so happy at least now I can continue farming on my own land,” the 24-year-old said.
The youngest of three siblings said he left his studies to look after his mother in Labasa in 2018, and that was when he started farming.
“Last year, I started piggery farm, sheep farm and goat farm,” Mr Prasad said.
“Currently, I am working at Hotel NorthPole as a night clerk. I am able to juggle work with the support of my parents and grace from God.”
He said farming was his interest and would continue to invest in whatever ways he could.
“If the Government had allocated some funds for first agriculture home buyers, then I would have applied and done more things. “I would like to thank the SCGF and FNPF for their support in this needy time,” he said.
SCGF chief executive officer Raj Sharma said their association with FNPF to be considered a “as approved lender” gives another plus point for the working class people to have access to such funds.
“This money we have received is the first FNPF approved funding for Mr Prasad for farm purchase,” Mr Sharma said.
“We are going through the transformation phase and that to at speed to make a difference, leaving no one behind in this digital era.” He said through the assistance, Mr Prasad was able to work on his 27-acre farm.