Inter-agency consultation between Ministry of Women and Agriculture on possibility of engaging social welfare recipients

The objective of the inter-agency consultation was to discuss the possibility of engaging social welfare recipients earmarked to be assisted through the proposed Welfare Graduation Program, in agriculture-based assistance programmes as a tool to reduce poverty.

Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection Lynda Tabuya highlighted this after attending a consultation with the Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Vatimi Rayalu and his executive team.

Tabuya says this initiative is one of several livelihood creation options being pursued by the Ministry, to assist approximately 500 recipients of the Family Assistance Scheme.

Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu says the Agriculture Ministry currently implemented an assistance programme whereby recipients were assisted through provision of farmland, relevant training, agro inputs, farming implements and access to market with monitoring systems in place to ensure the recipients achieve their targets.

Meanwhile, the Minister Women says initiatives like these would be a great opportunity for recipients interested in farming where they will be supported towards securing a sustainable livelihood with the added benefit of food security.

The inter-agency consultation was attended by the Minister for Agriculture, the Assistant Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna, the Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Andrew Tukana and Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Tekini Nakidakida.