Over 40 unemployed youths of Naduri, Sigatoka, most of who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19 now have the means to earn a living as the Youth Farm Initiative was launched in Sigatoka by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Naduri Youth Club President, Mitieli Vunaki says they have been given seedlings and farming equipment.
Vunaki says they hope to earn more than $1,000 from selling vegetables through this farming initiative.
The Club President says the youths will be planting vegetable at the Nasau Training Centre and the money earned will be shared amongst the youths.
He says they plan to plant more vegetable in the future, once they start earning a profit.
29 year old Vunaki is also encouraging other youths who have lost their jobs to earn a living for their families through farming.
Meanwhile, Minister for Youth and Sports, Parveen Bala says they are encouraging youth clubs to utilise unused land for agricultural purposes.
He says the earnings from the farming activities will reassure food security for the families and if they plant more vegetables, they can ensure a sustainable source of income.
The Minister says in the past few weeks, they have been speaking to landowners to get their consent so that youths can utilise land for farming and they were very successful in doing so.
Bala says he appreciates the generosity and the contribution of these landowner for assisting them in rebuilding social and economic well-being of the communities and the country.
He adds they have registered 22 youth clubs in Sigatoka who have been engaged in community development, village clean up and active sports participation.
The Minister is also urging the youth to explore agriculture and carpentry training at Nasau Training Centre in Sigatoka.
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