Don't look at your disability, look at the abilities – Naitanui

Don't look at your disability, look at the abilities that can create opportunities for a better future.

This is the message shared by the President of the Women with Disabilities Rewa Branch, Litia Naitanui, during the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council Farmers Forum that was held at GPH this morning.

Naitanui says even though they faced challenges while trying to get their items ready to be sold in the market, they believe that the experiences they have faced have motivated them to be strong.

She says the 20 active members in their group have been working hard to keep their business running for years and all of their items are made from coconut, like virgin oil, coconut cream, coconut soap, coconut earrings and baskets made from pandanus leaves.

Naitanui hopes that their participation during the 1-day forum will assist the Government in finding investors to help local farmers in Fiji.

While officiating at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and SMEs Manoa Kamikamica says their Ministry is actively working towards fostering economic growth and promoting economic diversification.

Kamikamica says farmers must seize this opportunity to formulate and review policies, regulations and programmes that best cater for the needs of local farmers in Fiji.

He says they are not just promoting economic growth but fostering a sense of pride and sustainability within our farming community.

The Deputy Prime Minister says they are currently having discussions with two large investors offshore and hopefully within the next two to three months and hopefully they can make some significant announcements in terms of what they expect to happen in terms of commercial law.

He reminded the farmers to remain committed to embarking upon and forming an organisation, it needs to focus on practising its innovative strategies and unwavering support from all stakeholders so that they can fully realise the full potential of beauty.