Through the British American Tobacco’s (BAT) Grow+ (Plus) project, 500,000 vegetable seedlings would be distributed to farmers in the coming months.
While signing the partnership with BAT yesterday at their Leaf Growing Division in Votualevu, Nadi, Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy said the seeds which were approved for the export markets were being supplied by the Agriculture Ministry’s Sigatoka Research Station.
“These seeds will be provided to BAT Fiji to nurture in their greenhouses before being distributed widely to our farmers,” he said.
Dr Reddy said the seedlings would include chillies, eggplants and tomatoes plus the provision of fruit orchards through papaya seedlings and grafting for lime would be made.
“This significant community investment and partnership between the Agriculture Ministry and BAT Fiji would allow us to produce more locally grown fruits and vegetables and improve export opportunities.”
BAT Fiji general manager Damian Bruty said Grow+ (Plus) program would enhance the country’s immediate food security, improve farmer livelihoods and give farmers good practice for crop rotation and diversification.
“Through this program, BAT Fiji is looking at other initiatives that would be announced in the near future in order to boost our agriculture sector,” said Mr Bruty.
