The Ministry of Agriculture in its effort to reduce the import bill of rice encourages farmers to take up rice farming in rice grown areas.

This follows a rice field day demonstration at Kiuva village in Tailevu where the Agriculture Ministry demonstrated the use of Rice Reaper, a machine used to harvest and thrash rice.

Speaking to the farmers, the Ministry‘s Principal Agriculture Officer Central, Tepola Seniloli said the machine will help reduce labour and improve the livelihood of the rural community.

“We have now learnt that the machine will speed up the harvesting of rice and also reduce costs unlike manual harvesting which consumed a lot of time and money in hiring labourers,” he said.

Mrs Seniloli added the introduction of rice farming and the machines in Tailevu are to maintain food security.

“The Ministry expects more people to come forward and register their interest in planting rice and for us it is both about income security for the farmers and food security.”

Government is making all efforts to assist farmers in a bid to reduce our import bill.

SOURCE: DEPTFO NEWS