Two mahogany farmers of Labasa will be able to celebrate Christmas with joy as they walked away with assistance from the Ministry of Forestry, yesterday.

Salato Ramoce, 42, of Buceisau Village in Labasa received cash to start his own canteen in the village while Jovesa Ryder, 45, received cash and 1500 metre fencing material to begin his cattle business.

Mr Ramoce said the assistance was timely and the canteen would meet the needs of his family.

“I would like to thank the Ministry of Forestry for its assistance in setting up a canteen for me, it’s a dream come true and I have been given my Christmas gift three days early,” he said.

“The canteen will also help meet the needs of our family.

“Where I come from, the villagers have to walk to the main road to the nearest shop, the set up of the canteen will make life easier for the villagers and me.

“It definitely feels like Christmas with the assistance from the ministry.”

Forestry officer Maleli Nakasava said the assistance was part of the programme titled, “Leave the Forest Focus on the People.”

“The programme allows us to hand out assistance to farmers around Fiji, because many times the ministry is focusing on the forest and not the farmers,” he said.

“Many mahogany farmers have benefited from the programme. We have seen the fruits of the programme,” Mr Nakasaca said.

Edited by Percy Kean

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