^{Wednesday 23 May 2012, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Suva}

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Land Resources Division (LRD) has joined Fiji’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) to support flood rehabilitation work in Fiji’s Western division, the area that was badly affected by the recent floods.

Acting Director of LRD Mr Inoke Ratukalou presented a cheque for FJD 50,000 to Col. Mason Smith, Permanent Secretary of MPI, in support of the rehabilitation work.

‘Our support is for crop and livestock rehabilitation activities that are currently being undertaken to normalise the supply for local and export markets,’ said Ratukalou.

‘Apart from this financial contribution, we stand ready to provide technical support to the MPI through a number of projects implemented  by LRD, such as the European Union-funded Increasing Agriculture Commodity Trade project, the AusAID-funded Integrated Crop Management Project and others,’ said Ratukalou.

He added that, as part of its mandate to improve key agriculture services, LRD will receive further funding from the EU to support the Fiji sugar sector, especially in terms of intercropping.

‘This project will be supporting the development of seeds and planting materials at the research stations and private sector nurseries in the cane belt areas of Fiji,’ he explained.

Ratukalou also presented a cheque for FJD 10,000 to support Fiji’s Agriculture Show that will be held later in the year in the Western Division of Fiji.

On receiving both cheques from the LRD team, Col. Smith expressed his Ministry’s appreciation for the timely assistance.

‘This contribution from SPC will go a long way in supporting our rehabilitation work, which is conducted in three phases: desilting of farms, land preparation and provision of planting materials.

‘We are also looking forward to working with LRD in the sugar sector, especially in the area of intercropping, to boost the industry,’ he added.

Col. Smith thanked LRD for the contribution towards Fiji’s Agriculture Show. ‘I look forward to LRD’s participation in the show. It will inform the general public about the activities undertaken by LRD, not only in Fiji but in the region as well.’

The Agriculture Show with the theme Grow me Fiji will be held from 6–11 August in the Western Division of Fiji.

For further information please contact Vinesh Prasad of SPCs Land Resources Division on telephone 679-3370733

or email to LRD helpdesk – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it