April 24, 2023

Fiji's new certificate programme aims to support dairy industry

Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, its dairy sector, and the Government of New Zealand, in collaboration with the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute, have launched the National Certificate in Agriculture Dairy Level 2 programme, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the dairy industry in Fiji, the FBC News reported.

The National Certificate in Agriculture Dairy Level 2 programme gives young farmers and the agricultural workforce standardised training for Fiji's dairy industry as well as a recognised and accredited credential that can be used in New Zealand and Australia.

The programme offers workplace training up to Level 2 and will also provide skills training in at least five areas, including nutrition and pasture management, calf rearing, milk quality, animal welfare and husbandry, and fencing, that the Industry Standards Advisory Committee (ISAC) identified as key knowledge competencies.

Vatimi Rayalu, Fiji's Minister of Agriculture, said that increasing on-farm productivity is important to fulfilling the government's mandate to expand the country's agricultural sector beyond incremental growth rates.

The Fiji Higher Education Commission has accredited the programme, which was created by the dairy industry, Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture, and the government of New Zealand.

-      FBC News