The women of Vunaqalutu Village in Dreketi, Macuata Province have received praises following the successful commissioning of two impactful projects, the women’s canteen and village walkway.

Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Kalaveti Ravu, commended the women for their contributions to these initiatives and emphasised the need for further support to be extended to them.

The projects were made possible through funding from the Jobs for Nature Rehabilitation (JNR) programme and the Ministry of Forestry’s Community Seedling Purchasing Programme.

The Sede Na Qele Women’s Cooperative has already received the first payment of more than $24,000 for cultivating superior seedlings purchased for the ministry’s reforestation scheme.

With the collective efforts of the men, youths, and the Mataqali Vunaqalutu on their 100-hectare talasiga land, various tree species are being planted as part of their reforestation efforts.

This is supported by a five-year community incentive contractual agreement between the Mataqali Vunaqalutu, the Ministry, and the iTaukei Affairs Board, aiming to empower landowners and promote village-led initiatives.

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Story by: jone.salusalu@fijisun.com.fj