The agricultural potential of Rabi Is­land was highlighted to farmers on the island who were also encouraged to practice communal farming to realise its successes.

While visiting agricultural developments and projects on Rabi Island and meeting with farmers earlier this week, Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Develop­ment and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Inia Seruiratu encouraged farmers on Rabi Island to farm communally.

“Thank you for your contribution towards the agricultural developments on the island, I am quite impressed that you have recently formed your Farmers’ Association and this ties in well with the overall plan we have at the Ministry of Agriculture,” Minister Se­ruiratu said.

“As smallholder farmers, we have to bring the community to farm together rather than individually because a lot of work and pro­gress could be achieved when we do it as a communit.

“Because that is our way of living; but that does not take away your responsibilities to your individual families,” he added.

Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services Inia Seruiratu inside the refrigerator truck with Madhwan Reddy standing. Photo: DEPTFO Ne

Decade of Family Farming

Minister Seruiratu said with the United Na­tions General Assembly declaring 2019-2028 as the Decade of Family Farming, the impor­tance of developing communal farming was highlighted to the Banaban farming commu­nities.

“We are preparing now with what the UN has decided for 2019 and that is the celebra­tion of the Decade for Family Farming as the UN has seen that in most rural communities, farming is taken up as a family activity and they are revisiting that, and from 2019 the Ministry will be looking at Family Farming.

“A lot can be achieved when we organise ourselves in our communities because that is exactly how we live and we can advance if we organise farming communally,” Minister Seruiratu said.

Women of Rabi applauded

Minister Seruiratu also applauded the women of Rabi for utilising commodities available on the island and tapping into its potential.

“For the women, I have seen the Virgin Co­conut Oil facility and we have discussed what could be done to improve the facility and it is enlightening to see that you have committed yourselves to the venture,” he said.

Rabi farmers were also reminded about other agriculture commodities that could contribute to their livelihood; I

wish to mention today that Government does not want to leave anyone behind and even though transportation to the island is still inconsistent, shipping is now coming to the island and this is opening doors, particu­larly getting your produce to the markets.

There is a lot of demand for coconut and yaqona and its byproduct.

“Cocoa is fetching good money now due to climate change, production from most of the cocoa producing countries in the world is de­clining and that gives us small island produc­ers’ opportunities to excel.

“So let us also start replanting cocoa now, to replant for our future generation, we are en­couraging that and the Ministry can provide assistance,” Minister Seruiratu said.

Source: DEPTFO News

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