Permanent Secretary for Inudustry and Trade Ropate Ligairi (left) and Fiji Crop and Livestock Council chairman Simon Cole. Photo: FIJI CROP AND LIVESTOCK COUNCIL
By RANOBA BAOA
A relationship which began in 2010 has again been reinforced by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties earlier this week.
Council chairman Simon Cole said the agreement would set out the guidelines of how the private sector and the public sector can work towards benefitting farmers.
The council so far has around 6500 farmer-members but anticipates that the remainder of the estimated 30,000 farmers of various commodities and enterprises in Fiji will also be registered.
Mr Cole said one of the most important challenges now is to see that the council attempt to register all of the farmers representing these different commodities or enterprises in Fiji.
“The MOU sets out the guideline of how we can work together for the benefit of the farmers,” Mr Cole said.
He thanked the ministry for its assistance and ongoing support to the council and acknowledged council’s funding agency, International Trade Centre (ITC) for their contribution in helping to develop it.
Government’s setup contribution
Government donated computers to help with council operation when it was initially formed in 2010. More recently it provided a PABX Phone System and Ricoh Printer.
Permanent Secretary for Agriculture Ropate Ligairi said: “The ministry encourages the council to discuss issues that need clarification in order to take the agriculture sector forward.”