The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways will now be able to facilitate more outreach to rural farmers, promote innovation and improve agricultural developments and productivity in the country after receiving two Mahindra Scorpio Single Cabs (4x4) from the Indian High Commission.
While handing over the vehicle, the Indian High Commissioner Shri P.S. Karthigeyan says this mobile soil testing laboratory will empower people in the farming community across Fiji and in rural parts of Fiji to empower them to perform better use of modern technologies that are available in the country.
He says this will also enhance productivity.
Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture Vatimi Rayalu says the soil testing laboratory is a significant milestone in strengthening the agriculture sector to promote sustainable farming practices, which will also enable the ministry to bring its services closer to farmers.
While acknowledging the donation by the Indian High Commission, Rayalu says the donation exemplifies the strong bond between the two countries and highlights India's commitment to assisting developing nations in the pursuit of agricultural excellence.
He says agriculture is the backbone of our nation providing sustenance to our people and contributing significantly to our economy therefore the need for efficient soil testing facilities becomes necessary which allows us to understand the composition of our soil and to make informed decisions regarding crop selection, nutrient management and overall soil health improvement.
Rayalu says the accessibility of such soil testing facilities has always been a challenge, particularly in the rural areas and farmers who form the core of our agricultural sector are often situated far away from testing laboratories, making it difficult for them to obtain accurate and timely analysis of the soil.
The Agriculture Minister says the two new vehicles transformed into mobile soil testing liberties will bridge the gap that previously hindered our farmers' ability to access soil testing services.
He further says the provision of the two new labs, will now better serve our farmers in all the divisions whereby one mobile app will be based in the north while the other one will be used to serve farmers in the central and eastern divisions.
