Rice farmers of Lagalaga and Nubu farming cooperatives in Macuata have been reassured that their existing rice harvesters will be replaced with a new one.

The farmers had raised concerns about technical difficulties that current harvesters had on their work.

Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Waterways Mahendra Reddy during a talanoa session held at Lagalaga and Nubu last Tuesday reassured that the harvesters would be replaced.

Lagalaga Cooperative secretary, Yogendra Ram applauded the assurance by the minister to bring in quality and technically competent harvesters.

Mr Ram said the current harvester was of poor quality and this was the reason they faced difficulties during the rice harvesting period.

He said the new harvester would ensure that they harvest large quantities of rice both for commercial and subsistence use.

Farm management training

In Vunivutu, Macuata, 40 rice farmers underwent a farm management training session organised by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with Fiji Rice Limited and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The training was held on Monday.

Acting Principal Agriculture Officer Northern Division Binesh Prasad said they demonstrated basic rice growing techniques, correct fertiliser usage, machinery training for preparing and harvesting rice and correct weedicide usage for specific plant diseases.

Mr Prasad said the locality was a former traditional rice farming area, however, after leases expired, villagers and landowners opted to use the land themselves for rice farming.

Mr Prasad said farmers in the area have set a target to plant and harvest 52 acres of rice.

“36 acres of rice seedlings have already been planted and the Ministry has encouraged farmers to supply their harvest for commercial production while keeping a portion of the rice for personal consumption,” he mentioned.

The Ministry also held similar training for farmers in Laqere, Tabia while another training is scheduled to be conducted in Naleba for youths.

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