A new tractor has been officially delivered to the Bitovani Cooperative in Nasaucoko Village, marking a significant step towards enhancing youth empowerment and promoting rural development while addressing local challenges, particularly drug-related issues in Navosa. This initiative was highlighted by Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Inosi Kuridrani, who reiterated the government’s dedication to transforming rural communities through sustainable agricultural practices.
During the handover event, Kuridrani expressed that the government is committed to empowering the youth not merely through verbal promises but by providing tangible resources that allow them to forge a better future. He acknowledged the longstanding issues of drug cultivation and abuse in Navosa and emphasized the necessity of changing these narratives by fostering local agricultural initiatives.
The Bitovani Cooperative has been actively engaged in utilizing idle land for productive farming, and the addition of the new tractor is expected to significantly boost their operations. With this equipment, the cooperative aims to enhance food production and create more job opportunities for the youth in the area.
Cooperative President Jone Limaiwale welcomed the government’s support, describing the tractor as a potential game-changer in their mission to offer young people positive agricultural alternatives. This initiative not only provides essential resources but also generates hope and optimism for agricultural development in the region.
Similar efforts have been witnessed in other parts of Fiji, such as the Koroisau Cooperative in Nadi, which also celebrated the delivery of a new tractor under the Farm Mechanization Program. This program encourages cooperative participation and financial investment from its members, illustrating a growing trend of collaboration for agricultural enhancement across the nation.
By investing in mechanization and providing critical support to cooperatives, the Fijian government is strengthening its commitment to rural agricultural sustainability, fostering community resilience, and encouraging a brighter future for the youth. Such initiatives reflect a collaborative spirit that aims not just to improve agricultural productivity but also contributes to community well-being and reduces reliance on negative influences.