The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways handed over a $49,990.00 worth Rice Harvester to the Korokadi Rice Farmers Cooperative to boost rice production and reduce import costs.

The rice harvester will directly address farmers struggling to harvest their rice on time.

This was highlighted by the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Tomasi Tunabuna while addressing the rice farmers at Korokadi Settlement in Bua yesterday.

As the pioneers of rice farming, the farmers of Korokadi will use this machine to boost their rice production and the government will continue to support farmers to produce the best yields,” said Hon. Tunabuna.

He said the Ministry is aware of the problems and challenges faced by the farmers and is working hard to address these constraints gradually.

The Assistant President of the Korokadi Rice Farmers Cooperative, Karam Chand, said that it is a privilege for the cooperative to receive the new harvester on a one-third and two-thirds basis from the government.

“We would like to thank the Ministry of Agriculture for their effort and the services rendered to our farmers in Bua.”

Chand said the members of the cooperative would use the machine to increase rice yield, ensuring food and income security to improve their standard of living.

The Rice Harvester was given under the Ministry’s Farm Mechanization program, whereby the cooperative paid one-third of the cost of $16,663.63 and the Ministry covered the remaining two-thirds.