SUVA (The Fiji Times/PINA) — Fiji will launch another farming assistance scheme for subsistence and semi-subsistence farmers, Agriculture Minister Jonetani Galuinadi said.
Galuinadi said the scheme— beginning on June 1 and open to all communities—will help these farmers buy seed and planting material; basic farm implements, tools and equipment; fertilizer and poultry manure; fungicides, weedicides and pesticides; as well as establish small scale poultry, pig and bee farms and agro-based cottage industries.
A maximum of F$1,000 is available for each farmer.
The format and guidelines are different from a previous scheme, which is under investigation for alleged abuse of millions of dollars. Galuinadi said steps had been taken to ensure that this system would not be abused.
“We have to move forward,” he said. “Farmers need to be assisted.”
No funding contribution will be required from farmers. Equity will be in the form of established planting and farming activity which must be seen by an investigating officer.
