A small machinery rental program being piloted for farmers seeking affordable machines that can aid in more efficient farmland preparation, in time for the upcoming planting season, was launched recently.
The rotavator rental program was launched at a farmer field day hosted by Sigatoka business – Krishan’s Farm Implements (KFI) in Nausori.
The rotavator rental program offers four rotavators for hire and was launched just in time for the planting season which runs from October – March. Rotovators can be hired for $70 a day for a minimum of three days.
A media release from the Australian Government’s Market Development Facility (MDF) said agriculture was an important sector for Fiji’s economy, supporting food security and providing employment for around 28 per cent of the population.
It said to progressively grow the sector, the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Agriculture was promoting the use of technology and mechanisation to improve farm yields and incomes.
According to the media release, being a farmer himself, Mr Narayan said he knew first-hand from tilling the soil on his farm, the advantages of equipment made for ease of work.
“I wanted to provide a solution for small holder farmers who cannot afford to purchase their own farm equipment, and to experience themselves how to use the equipment we have on offer. Through MDF’s support, we were able to get this rental program off the ground,” he said.
He said his company — KFI — planned to host similar farmer field days around the country in the coming months to build awareness on the rental program, demonstrate the effective use of machinery for land preparation and the benefits of trellis netting for vertical farming.
Farmers interested in the rotavator rental program and attending the upcoming field days can contact Krishan Narayan via Farm Implements in Fiji Facebook page or phone: 9429227/ 7381165.
MDF Fiji’s acting country director Kelera Cavuilati said while commercial farmers were able to invest in farm machinery, many smaller semi-commercial farmers had limited financial resources and were hesitant to purchase farm machinery outright without the chance to trial it first.
“We are delighted to work alongside KFI to pilot the rotavator rental model, which will allow more local farmers to save money on land preparation through the use of small farm machinery,” she said.
