Drainage works in the sugarcane belts needs a major overhaul so that cane farms aren’t affected by the flooding, said Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu while speaking at the inaugural Sugar Industry Workshop in Lautoka yesterday.
He said drainage works have been neglected for a number of years.
“It has taken a toll on farmland that used to be agriculture productive, and it has become unproductive over the last number of years,” he said.
“I had the opportunity to visit the Sorokoba flats in Ba this week and saw the effect of seawater intrusion – it is devastating.
“I am told that the flood gates have been down and it’s now in the water and it was promised by my predecessor to be fixed. You can ask him whether he did it all.
“These things have been neglected for a number of years.”
Mr Rayalu announced the Ministry of Agriculture will now offer sugarcane farmers assistance that includes support for hydroponic farming, support for livestock fencing, irrigation, land clearing and preparation, construction of farm access roads, provision for small farming equipment and the development of dairy and beef farming.
