The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu, has praised 45 family members of the Nalagi clan in Nadi for their entrepreneurial efforts. The Ratu Naevo Co-operative, established in Nawaka Village in 2021, received a new solis tractor from Mr. Rayalu last week. He commended their dedication to sustainable livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of ensuring food security for their community before supplying local hotels and markets.
The co-operative contributed one-third of the tractor’s total cost, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways financed the remaining amount through its Farm Mechanisation Program. The Ratu Naevo Co-operative plans to utilize their mataqali land for agricultural purposes to meet the needs of the growing village population. They will operate on 37 acres of land located at Nawiwi, Namulomulo for large-scale mechanized farming. Ratu Joeli Bulu Derenalagi, Taukei Nalagi and Momo na Tui Nawaka, accepted the keys for the tractor on behalf of the co-operative.