Agricultural productivity on Ovalau is expected to increase with the use of tools and equipment worth about $530,000 given by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Permanent secretary for Agriculture and Waterways Dr Andrew Tukana said this marked a significant collaboration between the ministry and KOICA.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways appreciates the initiative as KOICA has been very instrumental in progressing the development of the Agrophotovoltaic method in Bureta Village, Ovalau,” Dr Tukana said.
“The ever changing agricultural practices and techniques come with innovative ideas and technology and last week, whilst in Ovalau, I was fortunate enough to experience an innovative technique of producing crops by using the solar farming method or the agrophotovoltaic method.
“With this method, farmers will be able to combine a solar system with food crops on the same land, increase land productivity, reduce water usage, improve socio economic livelihood and address poverty, hunger and promote good health and wealth among other positive reasons.”
The farming equipment — rough terrain vehicles, tractors with implements, trailers and pick-up trucks — were handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways on Friday in a ceremony held at the Lakena Agriculture Station in Nausori.
