The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu, has guaranteed rice farmers in Dreketi, Macuata, that drainage issues will be thoroughly addressed. He announced that a drainage board has been established to tackle these challenges.
Rayalu encouraged farmers in Vanua Levu to make use of this opportunity by visiting the drainage board office in Labasa. Local farmer Ram Khewal, 75, expressed his appreciation for the government’s drainage initiatives at Laqere, Tabia, Labasa, noting that over 50 percent of the work has been completed.
Khewal, who is also the president of the Laqere Tabia Farmers Cooperative, has called on the government to build a seawall to protect rice farms from damage. He pointed out that heavy rains annually destroy around 30 acres of rice fields, posing a serious threat to local farmers and food security.
“We have been requesting a seawall for at least four years now, but nothing has been done by the government or the Ministry of Waterways,” he stated. Khewal indicated his intention to apply for the rice planting subsidy but believes that additional measures are necessary to boost rice production.
He suggested that more consultations should take place, allowing farmers to engage with the relevant authorities and the government to voice their concerns and collaborate on solutions for drainage challenges. Additionally, drainage improvements have been implemented in Soasoa, Labasa, an area that frequently experiences flooding during heavy rain.