Minister for Youth and Sports Parveen Bala said this year’s International Youth Day was an opportunity to help youths transform food systems.

He highlighted this as he gave more farming tools to youth clubs in Ba. This was enabled through the Youth Farm Initiative.

Mr Bala said the ministry had assisted 147 youth clubs consisting of 4243 beneficiaries altogether in the past financial year.

“This assistance spread across our central, northern, eastern and western zones,” he said.

“This assistance supports the theme of this year’s International Youth Day by encouraging youth through food production and promotion of food security.”

The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is  ‘Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health’.

The aim is to highlight that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.

Among recipients of the ministry’s ongoing assistance is Lautoka-based One Nation Our People Youth Foundation.

“The sponsorship of farming equipment (water pump, wheel barrow, fork, shovel, knives, water tank, spray tank and irrigation hose) has enabled club members to  initiate food security, particularly during the ongoing pandemic,” said club secretary Radishna Nath.

The club is centered at the Lovu seaside and has 40 members to date.

Minstry of Education

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts also extended its best wishes to all Fijian Youths on International Youth Day.

Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar said the theme was an extremely apt one because sustainable food production is crucial for the success of future generations.

She added that being people of the land and sea, Fijians are uniquely equipped with the ability to make the most out of their surrounding areas in order to create food security for healthy fruits and vegetables – which is required for a strong immune system –  in a way that is environmentally friendly and sustainable.

“Stay safe and have a very Happy International Youth Day once again,” she said.

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