The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Costed Operational Plan (COP) for the 2018-2019 financial year for has prioritised key changes, which will help deliver more effective outcomes.

This was highlighted by the Minister for Agriculture, Rural and Maritime Development and National Disaster Management and Meteorological Services, Inia Seruiratu while launching the ministry’s COP for the 2018-2019 financial year.

The launch took place at the Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters, Raiwaqa yesterday.

Mr Seruiratu said: “One of these changes for the financial year 2018/19 and beyond, is the review the Ministry’s organisational structure.

“A key feature of the new organisational structure will be the decentralisation of authority to regional managers, which is expected to bring about efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

“Furthermore, the new structure will improve MoA’s visibility on the ground.

“This is vital for increasing the extension officer to farmers’ ratio, currently estimated at 1:1000.

“The MoA also acknowledges that in order to modernise the agriculture sector in Fiji, we need to have more collaborative activities with the other governmental ministry’s and the private sector.

“The MoA cannot work in isolation to achieve the national vision of a ‘Competitive, sustainable and value-adding [non-sugar] agriculture’ sector, highlighted in the NDP(National Development Plan).”

He said the launch of this Costed Operational Plan is symbolic of the Ministry’s hard work.

“The plan provides a clear picture of tasks, costs and responsibilities in line with the Ministry’s strategies, goals and objectives. It ensures a standard framework to measure and monitor implementation of programmes.

“In improving processes and systems in place, the Ministry will ensure an efficient, effective, and high-quality service delivery to our customers.

“With the release of this Plan, I would like to remind Ministry official on the importance of have having such document to guide implementation.

“Please ensure that all planned activities are conducted in an efficient and effective manner considering the special needs of our stakeholders especially farmers.

“You can only successfully achieve your targeted outcomes for each strategic priorities despite challenges, if you clearly adhere and take ownership of your plan.

“I look forward to the support of all stakeholders in the ministry’s efforts to meet the targets and strategies set out in this Costed Operational Plan.

“Let me acknowledge the contribution of Management and staff for making it possible to launch this years Costed Operational Plan.

“I am deeply grateful and it has been a privilege to work with such a dedicated team. With a good plan in place and an increase in budget, I believe that the ministry should be able to deliver on its key targets, objectives and strategies.”

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