Farmers are being encouraged to form Cluster groups for the purposes of ensuring a mass production of agricultural crops for the local and export markets.

The Ministry of Agriculture at a four-day Cluster training at the Navua Agriculture Station highlighted this concept to Serua and Namosi farmers.

Ministry of Agriculture acting Permanent Secretary, Uraia Waibuta said the practice of forming Cluster groups comes from the Fijian concept of Solesolevaki – meaning working together as a group with the same mindset and goal.

Mr Waibuta said the practice is already part of the ITaukei culture.

Mr Waibuta added that there is a need to strengthen the idea of cluster method to villages and at tikina level because the ITaukei are already in cluster groups in terms of the mataqali, yavusa and yasana.

“Forming clusters is part of our lifestyle from generation to generation.”

Mr Waibuta highlighted that in Muaniweni, the majority of farmers are currently engaged in cluster groups compared to the villages of Naqali and Viria.

Farmers were also reminded to form cluster groups in order to invest more in their farms and agricultural production and in doing so to seek out Government’s assistance for further investment.

“The Ministry’s role is to provide advice and support however the onus is on the farmers to practice the cluster method and work on reaching the highest point of production,” he added.

Mr Waibuta further encouraged the leaders within the communities to work with the farmers of the cluster groups in ensuring that they work together with one mission to move forward for the benefit of all.

About 41 participants from eight villages in the Province of Serua and Namosi attended the training from the villages of Naimasimasi, Sabata, Masi, Waibogi, Wainadiro, Deuba, Sawadrau and Navunikabi.

source: DEPTFO

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