The Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu, has praised 45 family members from the Nalagi clan in Nadi for their entrepreneurial efforts. Last week, he presented a new solis tractor to the Ratu Naevo Co-operative in Nawaka Village, which was established in 2021.
Rayalu highlighted their dedication to sustainable livelihoods, emphasizing their role in ensuring food security for the residents of Nawaka before supplying to local hotels and markets. The co-operative contributed one-third of the tractor’s total cost, with the remaining funds provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways through its Farm Mechanisation Program.
The Ratu Naevo Co-operative aims to utilize their mataqali land for agricultural purposes to address the growing population in the village. They plan to engage in large-scale mechanized farming on 37 acres of land located in Nawiwi, Namulomulo.
The keys for the tractor were accepted on behalf of the cooperative by Taukei Nalagi, Momo na Tui Nawaka, Ratu Joeli Bulu Derenalagi.