Landowners Keen to Farm Rice
Mr Prasad noted that some landowners who used to lease their land to Indo-Fijian farmers now want to use it for commercial rice farming.
Monday 24 June 2024 | 15:14
Interest is growing among the iTaukei communities to engage in rice farming to support their financial well-being, given the attractive paddy prices it offers.
Acting principal agriculture officer North, Sujendra Prasad, said during a recent basic rice farming training at Wailevu Village, Labasa that the attendance of 65 villagers was encouraging.
The training covered basics such as rice sowing, planting, and land preparation, emphasising the importance of timing for a good crop.
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“The revival of the rice industry to reach new heights of production depends on the influx of farmers in this sector,” Mr Prasad said.
“Such engagement with the iTaukei community is vital.”
Rice farming is primarily concentrated among Indo-Fijian farmers, spanning from Dreketi up to Labasa. The recent increase in rice paddy prices from $850 to $1000 for Grade A has encouraged farmers to shift their focus to rice farming.
Mr Prasad noted that some landowners who used to lease their land to Indo-Fijian farmers now want to use it for commercial rice farming.
An adequate labour force is crucial for successful rice farming ventures.
Communal labour
Public Service and Public Enterprises, permanent secretary Parmesh Chand, highlighted that iTaukei communities present the best communal labour.
Mr Prasad supported this idea, suggesting that villagers could form groups for rice farming rather than working individually if they prefer.
“After the training, some women wanted to know when to start planting, so we advised them to prepare the land and plant during the November-December period,” Mr Prasad said.
The ministry will arrange for rice seeds. Mr Prasad emphasised the need to involve machinery in rice farming.
“We have advised iTaukei farmers that forming cooperatives to purchase tractors, rice harvesters, and other necessary machines for land preparation would be beneficial,” he said.
Government would cover two-thirds of the cost, while the cooperative would need to raise the remaining third.
Currently, only one iTaukei farmer is engaged in rice farming and supplying Fiji Rice Farming from the area.
“He can set an example for other villagers that rice farming is a potential source of sustainable income,” Mr Prasad added.
Wailevu Village headman landowner Jeff Bera expressed his intention to use his 16-acre idle land for rice farming.
“Rice farming appears to offer the best return on my land, especially with recent increases in paddy prices for Grades A and B,” Mr Bera said.
“I now have a fair idea of the basics of rice farming and am eager to proceed.”
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