Twelve farmers of Namau settlement in Ba have commended the Fijian Government for providing water to expand their agricultural activity. This follows the Government’s intervention through the completion of the Multi-Purpose Gravity-Fed Irrigation Water project by the Ministry of Waterways.

In commissioning the $7,500 water project in Namau, Ba last week Friday (17/06/22), Minister for Agriculture, Waterways, and Environment, Dr Mahendra Reddy, said the project aims to address the water needs of the farming community, which has been an issue during dry spells.

Minister Reddy said the assistance was provided to specifically address the issue of drought and increase agricultural production to cater to local and export markets.

He said that the water source is expected to boost farming activities for the settlement and benefit more than twelve households, determining the sustenance of livelihoods through agriculture production and socio-economic development.

“In addition to our efforts to promote exports and imports of crops with a strategic advantage, we are also collaborating closely with local farmers to promote local production of crops we import, so this kind of assistance marks a significant step towards achieving this development agenda for the agriculture sector,” he said

Meanwhile, a Namau resident, Mr Harish Chand, a livestock and crop farmer, acknowledged the Government assistance as it would further boost the farming activities in the settlement.

“During the drought, farming becomes very difficult here. Farmers tend to lose several animals and crops due to the impact of drought. We used to carry water from the river to the farm using bullocks. With this irrigation project, the farmers now will no longer have to worry about their stock during the drought as they can now access water in their homes,” he said

The irrigation project can be used for crop and livestock farming and basic household needs.