The government will continue to support the agricultural sector through its various public enterprises.
Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government has allocated a capital grant of $323,150 to Yaqara Pastoral Company Limited as a two-thirds contribution for the purchase of a new excavator.
This will allow the company to build observation points in the mountainous area of Yaqara and boundary fences to control the movement of livestock.
Sayed-Khaiyum says they will also support the Fiji Coconut Millers.
“The Fiji Coconut Millers received $420,750 to support their replanting program and farm cleanup with rehabilitation. With the new farm cleanup initiatives, FCML has identified 20 farmers with a combined 50 acres to assist at a cost of $4,500 per acre. It is expected that $245,000 will be used for this purpose and the remaining funds will be used for replanting coconuts.
Fiji Rice Limited received $1.3 million in the financial year 2022-23 for the purchase of paddy from farmers.
This grant ensures that rice farmers will be paid up front when supplying paddy to the Dreketi rice mill in Vanua Levu.
Sayed-Khaiyum says the government also provided $1.2 million to Food Processors Fiji Limited.
It involves undertaking essential upgrades to the factory’s infrastructure, improving its farm in Batiri and subsidizing the purchase of agricultural products from farmers.
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