Permanent Secretary for Agriculture, Ropate Ligairi (in blue) with the stakeholders and the Ministry staff during the signing
SUVA
The Ministry of Agriculture has achieved another milestone following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to assist farmers improve their soil fertility and increase farm production.
The Ministry recently signed the MOU with South Pacific Fertilizer (SPF), Agriculture Chemical of Fiji Limited (AGCHEM LTD) and Basic Industries Limited for the supply of fertilizers to farmers.
Ministry permanent secretary Ropate Ligairi said the three Companies will supply fertilizers of various categories targeting the non-sugar farmers.
Mr Ligairi said working in partnership with the stakeholders, the Ministry aims to develop agriculture in Fiji for better economic returns.
He said they needed to work with farmers in areas such as the use of ertilizers in crops that will guarantee food and nutrition security.
The Ministry’s chief economist Ilimeleki Kaiyanuyanu said the fertilizer subsidy program was an initiative by the Ministry aimed at improving farmer’s production capabilities (non-sugar crops), reducing farm overheads as well as stabilising soil quality by maintaining the soil pH level.
Mr Kaiyanuyanu said in order for the fertilizers to be distributed in a transparent manner it was important to have clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidelines that governed its distribution.
The SOP outlines the procedures in terms of collection, delivery, authorisation level, payments, monitoring and follow up.
He added that as a responsible organization, the Ministry of Agriculture will ensure that the funds given by Government for this program are put to good use and fertilizers distributed in a fair and accountable manner.
Feedback: rachnal@fijisun.com.fj