A 20-year-old student is one step away from his dream of starting sheep farming on a large scale in an effort to reduce the import bill.
Waseem Ahmad, who is from Waiqele, Labasa, was working as a salesman in his brother’s shop in Suva when he applied for the government scholarship to study agriculture at the Fiji National University’s College of Agriculture.
Ahmad said he believes in himself that he will study hard this year to achieve his dreams.
About 50 students from around the country have been awarded government scholarships to study agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama today awarded the scholarships saying the government is encouraging young farmers to become professional farmers.
The new scholarships for agriculture started this year at FNU.
Students graduating in the agriculture scholarship scheme will get a loan of $70,000.
This will allow them to buy 100 acres of farm land, a house, a shed, a tractor, basic farm implements, fertilizer and other necessary material plus $2,000 start up cash.
The students will learn a variety of farming skills during their one year course.
In the 2013 National Budget, the government has allocated $5 million for 1,000 students’ vocational studies at FNU.
Story by: Ronal Deo
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50 students awarded agriculture scholarships
