Fiji Crop and Livestock Council (FCLC) endorsed the continued commitment to support 16 farmer organisations.
Council chief executive officer Jiu Daunivalu, in a statement, said the FCLC Secretariat, the FCLC Management Board, and the farmer organisation heads met in consultation, to discuss the way forward for the members of the respective farmer associations.
“After farmers participate in the various training sessions we provide to develop skills and build capacity in farm management, planning and implementation,” said Mrs Daunivalu.
“We see the positive impact on their approach to farming not only to support family consumption needs, but a gradual change and movement towards commercial farming for sustainable production in compliance to market requirements, food security, and secured source of income for sustainable livelihood.
“We are also very pleased to report that an increasing number of women farmers and youths are attending our workshops.
“They are seeing the business and entrepreneurial opportunities that farming presents and are adopting tried and rested practices to improve their potential as businessmen and women.”
She said they were committed to assisting farmer organisations and their members to build important linkages with other actors in the value chain, from the farm to the consumer.
“Member farmers are accessing services and markets to boost their income generation, through increased productivity,” said Mrs Daunivalu.
The council meeting reviewed the 2021/2022 achievements and mapped out the 2022/2023 FCLC programs which would further support the farmer organisations and their members in building and strengthening their farming businesses on a sound foundation of commercial viability according to the CEO.
