Villagers in affected maritime areas in need of fast and high yielding crops and vegetable seedlings

Villagers in maritime areas whose farms have been affected by the recent tropical cyclones are in need of seedlings for fast and high yielding crops.

Gunu Village Church Steward, Lakai Lesulala says most of the villagers in Yasawa and Mamanuca have lost their crops to the recent cyclones and they have been relying on manufactured food to date.

Lesulala says they cannot afford to be buying manufactured food as majority of the villagers were employed in hotels but the tourism sector has been badly affected too by COVID-19.

He adds they have been replanting but it will take a long time for crops to mature and this is the reason they are in urgent need of fast and high yielding crops and vegetables like kumala, cabbage and bean.

Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Ritesh Dass says they are providing farming assistance such as the provision of seedlings and farm materials and land preparation for people who have been affected by the recent cyclones.

Dass says this is in progress and is open to every Fijian and people need to visit the nearest Agriculture Station to register for this assistance.

He adds they will do their best to assist those affected and these people must ensure that they make the best use of this assistance.