Members of the Koroisau Co-operative in Nadi celebrated as their aspirations materialized this week with the delivery of a new tractor.
On Monday, Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways Tomasi Tunabuna presented a tractor complete with a three-disc plough, valued at $47,100, to the co-operative at Naboutini Village in Sabeto.
Sikeli Tabua, the chairperson of the co-operative, expressed gratitude to the Government for the timely support. “We will maximize the use of this tractor,” he stated, highlighting the co-operative’s two hectares of land planted with cassava, various vegetables, and fruit trees.
Tabua noted the co-operative aims to become the leading supplier of vegetables to local roadside markets and hotels, focusing on meeting customer preferences and maintaining high quality. The addition of the tractor will aid in reaching these objectives.
The assistance was part of the Farm Mechanisation Programme, in which the co-operative contributed one-third of the cost ($15,700) while the Ministry covered the remaining two-thirds.
Mr. Tunabuna encouraged members to embrace change and empower themselves in this rapidly evolving era. “We can no longer rely solely on traditional practices. Collaborating and supporting one another will make us stronger. The idea of solesolevaki (working in groups) remains powerful today,” he remarked.
He acknowledged the co-operative’s patience in awaiting governmental support and emphasized that this new equipment would enhance their farming capabilities significantly. “Now, you will no longer have to depend on others for land preparation,” he added.
The Koroisau Co-operative, established in January, has effectively utilized their iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB)-leased lands. With 26 registered members—14 women and 12 men—they are determined to achieve financial stability and establish sustainable markets for fresh produce, targeting nearby resorts and hotels.
The co-operative is committed to farming as a business, supplying produce to the Nadi and Lautoka municipal markets.
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