To enhance beef farming in Fiji, nine farmers in Navosa Province have each received a breeding bull from Agriculture Minister Vatimi Rayalu. During a meeting this year at the Vatumali Government station, Mr. Rayalu assured the farmers that he would provide them with the F1 Senepol breed.
Speaking at the Botona settlement in Keiyasi on Thursday, he outlined the government’s ambitious strategy to revitalize the beef farming sector. “Senepol cattle are well-suited to tropical climates and produce high-quality meat,” he stated. This initiative is aimed at improving the genetic quality of the local cattle population, leading to better meat quality, enhanced disease resistance, and increased productivity—elements vital to restoring the beef industry in the Navosa Province.
Mr. Rayalu recalled that the province had a strong reputation for beef farming in the past, with numerous farmers raising cattle. He emphasized the government’s commitment, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, to revive beef production and urged farmers to collaborate and strengthen their collective efforts.
The minister reassured the farmers that the ministry would support them in enhancing their farming practices but stressed that the onus is on each individual farmer to take initiative. “You need to be determined and dedicated,” he advised.
He noted that the ministry had acquired these breeds from Australia several years ago and continues to conduct research and successful embryo transfers within Fiji. Currently, the Navosa Livestock Cooperative functions with three clusters, comprising 196 registered beef farms—34 of which are commercial, 36 semi-commercial, and the remaining 126 categorized as subsistence farms.