Drop Noted in Vegetables and Vrops as Dry Spell Continues
Most affected areas include North-Western region as drop also noted in milk and honey production
The prolonged dry spell faced by the Western parts of the country has led to a reduction in leafy vegetables and root crops supply, the Agriculture Ministry has noted.
The Ministry is now monitoring the daily activities of markets in the Western Division as the effects of the El Nino continues to affect parts of the country.
This was highlighted by Principle Agriculture Officer Western Vinesh Kumar.
He said while supply has been consistent in all markets in the division, the ministry had noted a reduction in leafy vegetables and roots crops while those that have been supplied have mainly come from the Sigatoka Valley, Ra and Tailevu.
“The ministry continues to monitor our municipal markets for food security and economic sustainability, especially in the prolonged dry period,” Mr Kumar said.
“We have also noted that there has been up to 25 – 30 per cent increase in prices of leafy vegetables. While this may be related to the dry spell we are also mindful that prices of root crops such as cassava and dalo and leafy vegetables also rise due to the demand in the festive season.”
The ministry has started assisting farmers by mobilising water pumps (33), providing mobile irrigation systems and identifying production scale.
It is also assisting by cutting and carrying green feed from pastures in the Central Division for livestock farms in the West and also transporting supplementary food to ensure that livestock is well nourished.
“We have started the distribution of 55 bags of copra, 211 drums of molasses, 186 bags of mill mix, mineral supplements, subsidized dairy mesh, and provided 127 water tanks to individuals (107) and areas (20),” Mr Kumar said.
“The most affected areas in agriculture have been the North-Western region of Viti Levu in Ba, Tavua and Vatukoula and we have also noted a drop in milk and honey production.”
A current trough of low pressure lying over the Fiji Group has brought showers and Mr Kumar said this has assisted their efforts greatly..
source: DEPTFO NEWS
