Tractor to boost commercial farming for community
A MICRO, small and medium enterprise has been encouraged by government to maintain a consistency and high quality of supply to its market.
Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism permanent secretary Shaheen Ali was in Qereqere in Nadroga yesterday to hand over a tractor to the Qereqere Participatory Guarantee Scheme Company Ltd yesterday.
Through the Integrated Human Resources Development Programme (IHRDP), the ministry funded the purchase of a new tractor.
According to Mr Ali the total project was $64,400, with the Fijian Government contributing $47,900 for the tractor and the Qereqere community contributing $16,500 for implements.
“This support will enable the Qereqere community to undertake tomato and seasonal fruit farming in a commercial manner with increased production.
“With continued technical support from Ministry of Agriculture will ensure that the produce is of high quality,” he said.
He said the company supplied produce to members of the Nadroga Hotel Association and encouraged the company to maintain its supply consistency and assured that the ministry would assist in finding more markets for them if required.
“Qereqere Participatory Guarantee Scheme Company Ltd is an example of a successful MSME and MSMEs form the backbone of the Fijian economy, with over 18 per cent contribution to the GDP.
“It also provides employment to approximately 60 per cent of the Fijian labour force.”
Mr Ali said they were consolidating all MSME support under one unit in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism which would lead to better use of resources to assist the MSMEs.
“MSMEs can make significant improvement and impact to livelihoods of and upliftment of the grassroot communities.
“It is for this reason the Fijian Government has continued to provide strong support to this sector.
“Today’s event is an example of an integrated effort of the Ministry, the Qereqere farmers, and stakeholders, such as Ministry of Agriculture, Provincial Offices and the Fiji Development Bank.
“All these like-minded agencies have come together to assist the Qereqere PGS Company Ltd to realise their business potential,” Mr Ali said.