It was an exciting day for Tikina o Levuka in Ovalau after they were handed over a 10-diameter tank system, an aeration system, a water pump, a backup water tank, 40 bags of floating feed and a solar grid system by the the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry. The farming equipment assistance was part of the minister’s two-day tour of the island.
While handing over the equipment, Minister Kalaveti Ravu stated that Levuka Vaka Viti is also one of the sites selected for a trial project on culturing tilapia in outdoor tanks while the other areas of the project include Naleba Youth Training Centre in Labasa and Dreketi Fisheries Station as well as a private sector farm in Savusavu.
He says the project will be later stocked with 3,200 Tilapia juveniles which is estimated to produce a yield of 680 kilograms of adult Tilapia four months after stocking.
Ravu says a few youths from the Tikina o Levuka will also be attached at the Naduruloulou Research Station in Kasavu for three weeks to learn the processes of culturing tilapia in outdoor tanks to ensure the proper and successful running of the project.
The Minister says the Ministry is driving and implementing these livelihood projects to assist in alleviating poverty and raising the standards of living for people in our communities especially those in rural areas.
He also reassured the community that the Government through the Ministry will continue to support developments in Ovalau as well as other areas in Fiji.
Mata-ni-Tikina o Levuka, Taniela Tamani says implementing projects such as is encouraging for the communities on Ovalau.
He says they are happy to receive this kind of project as this will empower the villages through income generation and food security.
Tamani added that getting youths involved in this kind of project will also help steer them away from criminal activities.
