PRESIDENT Jioji Konrote has pleaded with parents to stop feeding their children with junk food but “feed them with healthy food for a healthier nation”.
In launching the backyard garden program in Labasa yesterday, Mr Konrote challenged families to start growing their own food and not rely too much on processed food.
“We got to be careful in some communities and this includes my home island of Rotuma as we tend to rely so much on food from supermarkets,” he said.
“Let’s grow our own and eat healthy food and get away from eating processed food.
“Let’s start feeding our children and families with food from the garden. I have nothing against fast food outlets but if we want a healthy nation, then let’s stay healthy.”
Mr Konrote also awarded packs of seedlings and pot plants to backyard farmers living in the town area.
He asked the Ministry of Agriculture to work with other households in promoting backyard garden initiatives.
Mr Konrote also met senior government officials and members of the mataqali Vitadra of Vunivau Village.
He urged government officials to continue working with stakeholders in the development of the Look North Policy.
“You make the Look North Policy happen and I thank you all because there have been lots of changes compared with past decades.”
Members of the mataqali Vitadra thanked Mr Konrote for sparing his time to meet them.
Mataqali spokesman Isoa Baleirotuma said this was the first time for a president to present a traditional i-sevusevu to them.
