To boost beef farming in the country, the Minister of Agriculture provided breeding cattle to nine farmers in the Navosa Province. Minister Vatimi Rayalu had assured the farmers earlier this year during a meeting at the Vatumali Government Station that the government would supply them with F1 Senepol Breed breeding bulls.
The ministry acquired these breeds from Australia years ago and has continued researching and successfully conducting embryo transfers in Fiji. Speaking to the farmers at Botona Settlement in Keiyasi, Rayalu mentioned that the government has ambitious plans to rejuvenate the beef farming sector in Fiji.
Senepol cattle are recognized for their adaptability to tropical climates and for producing high-quality meat. “This initiative aims to elevate the genetic quality of the local cattle population, leading to improved meat quality, better disease resistance, and increased productivity—all essential for revitalizing the beef industry in the Navosa Province,” Rayalu explained.
Farmer Ravuama Latilevu, one of the recipients, expressed that the addition of one breeding bull would greatly support his efforts in developing his beef farm. The Navosa Livestock Cooperative operates with three clusters and currently has 196 registered beef farms in the area, with 34 classified as commercial farms, 36 as semi-commercial, and 126 as subsistence farms.
The ministry plans to implement training and monitoring initiatives to ensure the successful integration of these new breeds.