NEW FIJI RICE LTD ADMIN OFFICE AT DREKETI A BLESSING TO FARMERS
Farmers will have more time to harvest after Fiji Rice Limited’s new administration office was opened by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in Dreketi yesterday.
Mr Bainimarama said with the new Dreketi FRL office, farmers would no longer spend an entire day’s journey to Labasa simply to pick up their cheques.
“This new office will ensure Fiji Rice Limited is well- equipped to keeping its documents in order, and you now also have a proper Board Room for hosting meetings with stakeholders at your disposal.
“As the new Government-funded warehouse is nearing completion, they’re dedicated to improving every part of our farmers’ lives, and we know that- for the farmers surrounding Dreketi- your time and labour wasn’t limited to the price paddy.
“Previously farmers have to spend an entire day’s journey simply to pick up their cheques, but now those days are over.
“Take advantage of a new and more modern Fiji Rice Limited as it is encouraging farmers to open personal bank accounts, as they expect to be able to deposit pay-outs directly into farmers accounts.
“Fiji Rice Limited also plans to
upgrade its IT system in the near future, linking it directly with the head office in Labasa, which would place Fiji Rice Limited in a position to engage in real time data- entry for its stock.
“By cutting out manual data- entry and taking another step into the
future, Fiji Rice Limited will continue to build on the progress that we’ve achieved with this new office. “Our Government is committed to Fiji Rice Limited’s success and more importantly, the success of our rice farmers.”
On the future outlook, Mr Bainimarama says the Government would continue to support Fiji Rice Limited in its ultimate goal of making Fijian rice production self- sufficient in the years to come. ”Because there’s no reason that the journey rice takes from seed to harvest to mill to our kitchens and restaurants, can’t all happen right here in Fiji- it starts in Dreketi,” he said.
Hardwork pays off for couple
Rishi Ram and Mere Vakalele’s hardwork were recognised yesterday as they received the highest production award from the Prime Minister.
The couple have a 28-acre rice farm in Naibulu in Dreketi.
They had produced a total of 60,000 tonnes of rice, 58,000 tonnes which was sold to Fiji Rice while the remainder was for their consumption.
With the tonnage of rice sold they were able to get $48,000.
Mr Ram said the new administration office was a blessing to the rice farmers.
“They can spend more time on the rice paddy instead of spending the whole day traveling to Labasa town,” Mr Ram.
“Many farmers face difficulty in storage facilities, with the new warehouse that is near completion, we will be able to save our resources.We’re truly thankful to the Government for this assistance, this will boost our productivity,” he said.
The new Fiji Rice Limited office was fully funded by Government with an investment of $142,000.