The economic impact of COVID19 must teach Fijians about the need to shift and maintain a focus on agriculture as a sector worthy of investment. Agriculture Permanent Secretary Ritesh Dass stressed this message while officiating a two day workshop on Food Security and Nutrition Implication for COVID-19 in Fiji. The focus of the workshop is to identify gaps and provide feasible solutions from available data and discussions pertaining to the ongoing food security and nutrition initiatives from government and relevant institutions. CLICK ON HEADLINE TO READ

Farmers have been given strong government advice to consider using healthier alternatives to chemical fertilizers in national efforts to increase agricultural activity. While launching an Organic Bacterium Fertilizer produced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Mahendra Reddy told farmers that chemicals threatened human health and the environment. The minister gave the advise to farmers of Naduru settlement in Nausori during a talanoa. Minister Reddy said organic fertilizers were kinder and gentler as he listed benefits. CLICK ON HEADLINE TO READ