Minister for Agriculture Dr. Mahendra Reddy says the Ministry will now focus on revitalising rice farming in Navua.
Dr. Reddy says Navua was previously known for rice production but for the last 20 years farmers have moved out of it and basically rice production came to pretty much zero.
He says they are now reviving it apart from the private venture, where Grace Road which is a major rice producer.
He adds they are looking at another 400 acres of land for rice production of which 150 acres are for one farmer alone who they are assisting.
He says they want farmers that are planting rice commercially to harvest three crops a year.
Dr. Reddy adds that harvesting three crops a year will also boost nitrogen in the soil and in addition the Ministry can push production for dalo, ginger and cassava although one of the major issues is drainage and irrigation support.
The Minister added that the Ministry has invested close to half a million dollars for irrigation alone and this has seen a major boost in the production of dalo, cassava, and ginger.
