Vanua Levu farmers were told during a talanoa session with Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama this week that the Agriculture Ministry no longer hires out tractors.
Ministry officials told the growers that the hiring of tractors has been outsourced.
During talanoa sessions with the PM in Savusavu, Navatu, Naviavia in Cakaudrove and in parts of Macuata as well, farmers raised the issue with him.
They said previously, ministry tractors had been hired out for $28 an hour.
Tevita Turagalailai, a farmer, told Mr Bainimarama that when they enquired about the tractor with the ministry, they were told to come back and check again on its availability.
“Every time we go to the offices in Labasa or Savusavu, they will tell us that the tractor is not working or they don’t have any operator,” he said.
“So they tell us to check again and when we do, they say the tractor is not working or they are still looking for an operator.”
Another farmer said they would be given many reasons when they enquired.
At the talanoa session, ministry officials told Mr Bainimarama they no longer hired out tractors to farmers.
They said the services had been outsourced and farmers who wished to use it needed to visit their offices to fill out application forms.
The tractors could be hired from private owners and farmers would have to pay $40 an hour.
