Saolo youths urged to lead agricultural development

Young people in Saolo, Bua, are being challenged to take a leading role in agriculture and help drive economic growth in their community following the handover of new farming equipment this week.

Speaking during the presentation of a digger under the Ministry of Agriculture's Farm Mechanisation Programme, Minister Tomasi Tunabuna urged youths to view agriculture as a viable and sustainable source of income.

He said the future of the sector depended on the next generation embracing farming and making productive use of available land and resources.

“The future of agriculture lies in the hands of our young people, and this digger is an investment in that future,” Mr Tunabuna said.

The digger was handed over to Saolo Village through a cost-sharing arrangement, with the community contributing one-third of the cost and Government funding the remaining two-thirds.

Mr Tunabuna said the equipment would help villagers develop idle land, increase food production and improve agricultural output.

He encouraged young people to take ownership of farming activities and use the machinery to create income-generating opportunities for themselves and their families.

“I encourage the youths of Saolo to make full use of the equipment by developing land, increasing food production and creating income opportunities,” he said.

Mr Tunabuna said Government support programmes could only succeed if communities actively utilised the resources provided and worked together to maximise their benefits.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining the machine to ensure it continued serving the community in the years ahead.

“This equipment must be properly maintained and shared so that it continues to benefit the whole community for years to come,” he said.

The Ministry of Agriculture continues to roll out assistance programmes aimed at increasing rural incomes, strengthening food security and building a more resilient agricultural sector.