All eyes on Dubai 7s!
Old and the new
YOUR report from Muaniweni, Naitasiri (FT 30/11) about the ever-rising costs of artificial fertilisers and weedicides is interesting, and
I would like to assure the hardworking farmers in Muaniweni that you are not alone in the fight to reduce farming input cost, of which fertilisers and weedicides are a sizeable component.
Of particular interest is the old methods of farming which the farmers claim they have gone back to simply because they could not afford weedicides and other chemicals needed to grow their crops.
I assist those who want with their farm plans and to the zealous young farmer who dares to be effective, efficient and profitable at the same time with minimum to zero chemical input, I tell him upfront that the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into God’s promised land of milk and honey with their belief in God and their livestock. Simply, you can’t produce milk without cows or honey without bees.
About the old and the new methods, the Bible challenges us to look and walk in the old ways.
In the same breath, we are also told about the new things, about roads in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
So, for the benefit of the growing generation of aspiring farmers, it would be interesting to know, apart from hoeing and poultry manure, what other traditional methods are the farmers on Muaniweni practicing, which can be refined or integrated with the new methods to grow crops which feed the world?
SAMU RAILOA
Nadi
Tea seller
AN impoverished tea seller has asserted himself as one of the greatest Prime Minister of India, earning the respect of major democratic nations world wide.
For our honourable A-G to question the calibre of a bhajaniya is totally uncalled for.
While I understand it is election campaigning time, he need
HATS off to renowned international rugby photographer Martin Seras Lima for capturing our boys images during the Fiji 7s team’s training session in Dubai!
Fiji last won the Dubai 7s in 2015 after defeating England 28-17, and since then has failed to taste victory in the Dubai heat. The Flying Fijians first won the Dubai 7s since the inception of the HSBC WRSS in 2013 after beating South Africa 29-17.
In the semi-final, Fiji thrashed the All Blacks 7s 44-0.
After losing to Australia 20-17 in the final of the HK 7s, Fiji was seeded in pool B with Uruguay, the All Blacks 7s and Argentina. The Fijiana also has a tough pool with the likes of Ireland, Spain and Japan, but should come out unscathed. The girls finished runner-up back-to-back in Dubai last year, losing to the Aussies 22-7 and 15-5, respectively.
The boys lost to USA 21-19 in the semis and 19-12 to Argentina to finish fourth in the first event, but lost to France and Spain in pool play to bomb out from the pool, finishing ninth. As I celebrated my birthday yesterday, I long for a belated birthday gift in the forms of the Dubai 7s crown. All the best to the men’s and women’s 7s sides!
RAJNESH ISHWAR LINGAM Nadawa, Nasinu not go to gutter level politics to prove his point as he has achieved by far so much in his capacity for the improvement for this nation. His recent utterance only tarnishes his achievements.
VIKEL V LAL
Makoi
Musicians moving on
ONE does not need to be a lawyer to enter politics and make and impact.
History is replete with examples of musicians who have made a mark in politics. Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum would find the article “Five musicians who became politicians” (faroutmagazine.co.uk) helpful in acquiring a better understanding of this phenomenon. Contrary to Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s assertion, there is no reason why a bhajaniya or a baigani seller can’t become a good politician in Fiji.
RAJEND NAIDU
Sydney, Australia
Calming the nerves
CAN our national 7s men and women’s teams deliver a victorious performance at the Dubai 7s?
This will bring more joy and calm the nerves given how heated the political discussions have become at home. With due respect, it is difficult to avoid this sensitive topic especially with only days left before the 2022 national election. Whatever ones views, let’s continue to display respect for each other and our authorities.
FLOYD ROBINSON
Nasese, Suva