The Yavu-Tu Farmers Co-operative Limited, representing the landowners of Vanua O Navutua in the Tikina O Bua, expresses its heartfelt gratitude towards the Ministry of Agriculture and Fiji Pine Limited for their invaluable support in acquiring a Solis 75RX tractor in an aim to enhance farming production and uplift the agricultural sector in the region.
The spokesperson for the Yavu-Tu Farmers Co-operative Ltd Laisa Bale who is also a farmer at Vunibua Gan Batyah Farm in Vunivau, Bua says the addition of the Solis 75RX tractor will significantly enhance their farming production capabilities.
She says their 12 mataqali farmers in the Vanua O Navutua will benefit greatly from this valuable asset.
Bale says as landowners, they are thrilled to achieve this milestone by utilizing their Mataqali funds and the bonus payout from our longstanding commercial tenant, Fiji Pine Limited.
She also says this has allowed them to establish a mutually beneficial three-way partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture. She says their collaboration showcases the fruitful outcomes of the investment made by their forefathers in leasing tribal land for pine planting in the early 1970s.
The purchase of the tractor was made possible through the partnership, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture's Farm Mechanisation Program, Fiji Pine Limited, and the Yavu-Tu Farmers Co-operative Limited.
Two-thirds of the funding was contributed by the Ministry of Agriculture, while Fiji Pine Limited generously provided a bonus amounting to a third of the cost.
The remaining funds were sourced from the Cooperative's mataqali account.
In addition to the tractor acquisition, the partnership funds were also used to purchase a rotavator and a harrow, with the Mataqali contributing the remaining funds.
Bale says they are delighted to announce that Fiji Pine Ltd has sponsored a member of their Mataqali through their Education Trust Fund.
She says this individual will embark on a three-year course at the prestigious Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute (NATI).
Bale adds the tripartite partnership between the landowners, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Fiji Pine Limited is a testament to the collaborative efforts in harnessing the full potential of the region's agricultural resources.
She says the technical assistance provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, coupled with the unwavering support from Fiji Pine Limited, enables landowners to optimize their lands for improved farming practices and productivity.
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