60 Sabeto Farmers Sign Agri Contract
Sixty farmers in Sabeto, Nadi have signed their contract for the second phase of the Agricultural
Marketing Authority project. Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Environment Mahendra Reddy officiated at the signing of the Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) Farmer Contract at Sabeto on Wednesday.
He urged the farmers grow this partnership and to build a resilient and reliable supply chain to sustain the local and international market as well.
“To make sure that we up hold the opportunities in basic primary commodity as well as take up the challenge that agriculture sector takes its rightful place in the economy,” he said.
“We have year round stable climatic conditions unlike our competitor markets like Australia, New Zealand and US. There are a lot of investors who want to come and invest in Fiji.
The Minister thanked Ilyakat Ali who has developed his land at his own cost and makes it available for the betterment of Sabeto in support of this project.
Advisory Councilor Sabeto Vinesh Chand Rai said: “We know a lot of incidents whereby the farmers have been victimised by the exporters previously. Today, Sabeto stands strong behind Agriculture and Agromarketing confirming that their vision is achievable.”
Model
He added once this model is up and running, the same will go from this valley to the other side of western Viti Levu.
Meanwhile, 57 farmers were contracted in the first phase, where from the farmers end, land preparation has been completed.
“Nearly 65 per cent have already planted their produce. Sourcing of seedling for Bongo chilies is on hold as there were about 420,000 seedlings needed for the farmers, that being the very reason for the set-up of the nursery.
He added the same nursery would feed the requirements of 1000’s of farmers in future and will be in direct competition where farmer paying $25 will be available for $6 to $7 per tray.