Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has opened a new office in Savusavu giving much needed access to assistance to farmers and fishers in the rural areas there.

At the opening, Assistant Minister for Agriculture Viam Pillay said: “I note with much interest that our minister Inia Seruiratu, officiated at the opening of the new AMA Office in Nausori on the third of last month and today barely a month later we are here to open this Savusavu branch office.

“These are milestone developments which signify growth and progress of AMA that was established by Government specifically to facilitate the purchase and sale of agro-produce for our rural communities.

“It is my fervent hope that this new AMA Office will serve to promote agriculture, and fisheries development for the benefit of our rural communities and generate growth within the Northern Division, rural economy.”

“I have been told that the Savusavu Office will be the primary AMA Collection Centre for the whole of Vanua Levu operations,” he said.

“Today’s occasion, coupled with the planned construction of another Collection Centre in Dama, Bua, in the very near future, demonstrates Governments unwavering commitment to bringing services to the people with a view to improving the livelihoods of our rural communities.”

Mr Pilly revealed that in the first quarter of this year, AMA had paid out over $120,000 to farmers and fishers on Vanua Levu.

These were for 44 tonnes of cassava, 20 tonnes of dalo, one tonne honey, five tonnes fish, 70,000 coconuts and 311 sasa brooms.

“I note with much interest the presence of other buyers operating in Vanua Levu, and wish to encourage them to continue to do business in the North,” Mr Pillay said.

“It’s good for our rural communities and it’s good for our overall national economic development.”

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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