The Office of the Prime Minister yesterday signed a grant agreement of $250,000 with the Fiji Mahogany Trust to better co-ordinate the needs of the mahogany landowners and to further enhance their contribution towards the industry.
The agreement was signed by the permanent secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan and trust chairman Serevi Baledrokadroka.
Mr Karan urged the trust to be transparent and accountable and also use the grant wisely for the benefit of the landowners.
“The Fijian Government is working towards reforming the mahogany industry,” he said.
“The era of mismanaging the mahogany industry is a thing of the past, now it’s time to sustain the industry.
“The onus is on the trust to use the grant wisely and ensure that every landowner is well-resourced with the knowledge and skills of using their natural resources for improved livelihoods.”
Mr Baledrokadroka said they would plan for more capacity-building exercises, awareness training on land management practices, chainsaw workshops and financial literacy.
He said the trust was working closely with relevant stakeholders to further educate the landowners.
