Labour shortage is one of the critical issues we face in our rice and sugar industry.
This was revealed by the Minister for Agriculture Rural and Maritime Development Inia Seruiratu when asked by Dr Brij Lal on what initiatives have been taken by the ministry to decrease rice imports.
Seruiratu says machinery is needed and they have distributed machinery all over the growing regions.
He says imports of the rice in the country has dropped.
Seruiratu was then questioned by the Opposition member Viliame Gavoka on what is the reality on the ground in terms of mechanization to grow rice and whatever crop that farmers want to grow.
Seruiratu says government has allocated $2 million dollars for farm mechanization initiative.
Opposition MP Mikaele Leawere then asked the Agriculture Minister if the seasonal workers that are sent overseas can be used to work in rice farms.
Leawere says in this way they will be able to go back and learn to start their own rice farming as well.
Seruiratu says when these workers go abroad they are paid about $20 to $30 an hour.
He says farmers cannot afford this and it is beyond government to subsidize.
