Tractor Triumph: Koroisau Co-operative’s Farming Future Takeoff

Members of the Koroisau Co-operative, based in Nadi, celebrated a significant milestone this week as their aspirations came to fruition. On Monday, Tomasi Tunabuna, the Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, officially handed over a tractor equipped 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 this timely support. He highlighted the co-operative’s commitment to maximizing the use of the tractor to enhance their agricultural efforts.

The co-operative currently cultivates two hectares of land planted with cassava, a variety of vegetables, and fruit-bearing trees. Tabua emphasized their aim to become the leading supplier of vegetables to local roadside markets and hotels by focusing on quality and meeting customer preferences. The addition of the tractor will significantly aid in achieving these objectives.

The tractor was acquired through the Farm Mechanisation Programme, where the co-operative contributed one-third of the cost, amounting to $15,700, while the government covered the remaining two-thirds.

Minister Tunabuna encouraged the co-operative members to embrace self-empowerment and adapt to the evolving agricultural landscape. He underscored the importance of collaboration, reiterating that collective efforts, or solesolevaki, remain vital in today’s environment.

Tunabuna acknowledged the members’ patience while awaiting government assistance, expressing that this support would elevate their farming capabilities. He assured them that they would no longer need to depend on others for land preparation tasks.

Founded in January, the Koroisau Co-operative has effectively utilized their iTaukei Land Trust Board (iTLTB) leased lands, which had previously expired, and plans to expand for their farming business. The co-operative consists of 26 registered members, with 14 females and 12 males, all striving for financial security and a sustainable market for their fresh produce, targeting nearby hotels and resorts. They have also begun supplying goods to the Nadi and Lautoka municipal markets.