Dairy livestock in Tailevu are helping to grow the Industry. Photo: FIJI CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY COMPANY LIMITED.
Source: FIJI CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY COMPANY LIMITED
The Board of Directors of the Fiji Co-operative Dairy Company Limited (FCDCL) has thanked the Fiji Government for its major contribution in restructuring the dairy industry.
It looks forward to its assistance in resolving the remaining issues relating to milk supply and pricing between the Co-operative and Fiji Dairy Limited.
For FCDCL, the new structure has been organized to ensure that the more than 250 dairy farmers are well represented in the industry and to help towards improving supply.
Besides owning FCDCL, the farmers as well have a 20 per cent shareholding through FCDCL in Fiji Dairy Limited.
“We have only been in operation since 2012 and we can clearly see that FCDCL is making a difference. In the first five months of this year we have increased our output by 2.5 per cent (excluding a 55 per cent loss from a farm in Navua) over the same period last year at which time the industry enjoyed a 1 per cent growth.
“These are especially gratifying results from Tailevu and Naitasiri because it shows the benefits of a closer working relationship between the farmers and FCDCL with improved advisory services, improved feed and it reflects the total commitment by the farmers,” said Sachida Nand, CEO of the Fiji Co-operative Dairy.
Mr. Nand said that the Co-operative will introduce further programmes in the year including artificial insemination to improve the quality of the cows, a farm costing system to identify how to produce more milk efficiently and seed for better pasture to improve feeding.
“We have been working closely with Fiji Dairy Limited and look forward to tidying up all loose ends by finalising all agreements with our processor, it would help to strengthen a growing and vibrant industry,” Mr. Nand concluded.