Govt’s Agri Millionaire Plan Reaps Rewards for Sawaieke Youths
Sawaieke youths from Gau, Lomaiviti, are about to reap the benefit of their hard work.
In 2014 the Commissioner Eastern Luke Moroivalu introduced “the rural millionaire concept” to them.
The concept that was initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, which helps farmers work on an integrated farming plan that can assist them in becoming millionaires within the period of five to ten years.
Mr Moroivalu said: “Government, the vanua and the church are involved in this project.”
The Sawaieke youths set a target to plant 1000 yaqona plants each and other crops including vegetables then.
This year, after four years, the yaqona plants were ready to be harvested.
Recently, the youths presented their first harvest to the church to be blessed by Sawaieke district Chaplain Reverend Tevita Vuniwaqa.
How they did it
Mr Moroivalu explained that during the four years the youths lived a disciplined life.
For them their day begins and ends with a service from the village and Reverend Vuniwaqa.
eThe village elders were also involved and provided support to the youths. The Ministry of Agriculture officials would visit and advise the youths on how to maintain their farms.
Mr Moroivalu said the project was not all for money, but really for the holistic development of the youths.
He said the youths embraced the plan wholeheartedly because the villagers needed to fully utilise the land to reach their goal in the next five to 10 years.
Mr Moroivalu will be in Sawaieke at month-end to visit the project.
Edited by Ranoba Baoaa
