1150 Farmers Register, Approved for Cash for Cultivation Programme

Atotal of 1150 farmers have been registered and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture for the Cash for Cultivation Programme.

Minister for Agriculture Mahendra Reddy said they are looking at about 2500 participants, where each farmer will get $200 if they cultivate the minimum of one acre of land for agricultural crops.

In the Northern Division:

200 farmers have registered in Macuata, 76 farmers in Cakaudrove, 24 in Taveuni, 50 in Bua.

In the Western Division:

80 farmers have registered in Nadroga and Navosa, 75 in Ba, 50 in Tavua, 40 in Nadi and Lautoka and 150 farmers in Ra.

For the Central Division:

75 farmers have registered in Tailevu and Naitasiri, 30 in Serua, 20 in Namosi and 50 in Rewa.

In the Eastern Division:

20 farmers have been identified in Lau, 50 in Lomaiviti and 80 in

Kadavu.

“From the 250,000, we are looking at 2500 farmers; 1150 have been approved. We are expecting some more money, we are looking at another $200,000 coming from another development partner, and quite likely we might be getting another half a million dollars,” Mr Reddy said.

“So, it means the more money we get for this Cash for Cultivation Programme, more farmers will benefit. We are putting caps in areas so that all farmers from different areas participate in this Programme.

“The quarter million that we have received is through New Zealand Government through ADRA. We have got $200,000 from another development partner and we are in talks with another development partner from one of the countries, but at the moment it has not been confirmed so I do not want to reveal the name, but they are saying that they want to come on board because they have seen how these four objectives are being served.

“It is an outputoriented programme given that you deliver this output and you will be given that particular cash. “We are in a totally winwin situation, households have food security, livelihood is improved, rural economy benefits and we are pushing and expanding the nation’s agriculture.” Edited

Bryce

by Jonathan