August 18, 2020

Fiji's food security programme to support local aquaculture farmers

Aquaculture farmers in Fiji can now benefit from a government grant to start and or expand their farms, Fiji Sun reported following a visit by the country's minister of fisheries to local farms to ensure aquaculture producers were making good progress.

The Ministry of Fisheries is implementing food security programmes in order to keep communities sustainable, according to a statement by Minister of Fisheries Semi Koroilavesau during his visits to villages in Ra last week.

Koroilavesau and other officials visited Oakley Farm in Barotu and other farms at Soa, Bucalevu, Namunamu and Drauniivi. During the visits, members of the Ministry of Fisheries were handing out grant application forms.

"For new farmers, the grant is enough to help them from start to finish, including pond management training and financial literacy," Koroilavesau said. "The ministry will hold your hand until your first harvest, and then hope you carry it on. "

Applications for the grant, known as the Food Security Programme, closes on August 25.

- Fiji Sun