A FARMER has urged other farmers to join the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council to help develop the organisation.
Jonathan Smith, who is a sheep and goat herder from Nasarawaqa in Bua, made the statement after receiving some farming materials from the council.
The FCLC handed over fencing material to more than 20 selected grazing livestock farmers in Bua and the Western Division who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Winston, to help them in the rehabilitation of their farms.
A statement from the FCLC said the purchase of supplies was made possible by a $130,000 in assistance from New Caledonia’s Chamber of Agriculture, to assist in FCLC’s cyclone relief work.
Mr Smith received two rolls of fence wire that he said would be used to fence off specially planted paddocks for his herd of 150 sheep and 30 goats.
FCLC chief executive officer Jiu Daunivalu said the money received from the Chamber of Agriculture was an endorsement of the importance of FCLC’s efforts for the farmers.
“We are grateful not only for the financial assistance, but for their excellent advice.
“We have signed an MOU with the organisation to provide technical assistance as well as investigate mutual projects where both of our bodies can benefit,” she said.
Grazing livestock (sheep, goats, cattle) is among 12 commodity associations that comprise the council and also include dalo, yaqona, cocoa, ginger, rice farmers, Fiji Foods Exporters Association, pigs, beekeepers, fruit and vegetable, organics, and copra.
About 30,000 farmers are now members of FCLC.
