Rice farming in Dreketi, Macuata, received a boost as two mechanical harvesters were presented to farmers.
Minister for Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy, said two cooperatives in Dreketi should ownership of the maintenance and usage of rice machines.
Farmers from Stage One Naibulu, and Nacula Cooperative, producing 300 metric tonnes of rice.
At Stage Three Malawai Cooperative, where there are 35 members, rice production is pegged an output rate of 200 metric tonnes per annum.
Mr Reddy said mechanisation processes were an investment justified by the shortage of labourers.
Cooperatives paid one third of the total cost, while the Government paid two third, to purchase the rice harvester.
Mr Reddy said land preparation and harvesting should be carried out by farmers and entrepreneurs, not hitd parties such as Government.
He called for cooperation among farmers over the use of the machines.
Minister for Agriculture,Mahendra Reddy (centre) hands over the keys to mechanical rice harvesters in Dreketi, Macuata, on June 9, 2022. Photo: Ministry of Agriculture
Membership is open, where it concerned the use of the machines, Mr Reddy said.
“If a new farmer in your area comes up, he also deserves to use the machine,” he said.
“Savings and investment are very important “We encourage you to develop ideas to collect funds, and carry out the maintenance of the harvester,” he said.
“The Government and the ministry of agriculture is not responsible for repair and maintenance of the rice harvester.”’
He explained the operational cost ownership was on the cooperatives.
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