Government has no immediate plans to declare a state of emergency despite the prolonged dry season affecting farmers, with the Ministry of Agriculture already rolling out assistance measures in vulnerable areas.
Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna said the ministry was monitoring the effects of El Niño through weekly reports and had been preparing farmers for the prolonged dry conditions since the beginning of the year.
“We knew this was going to happen,” Mr Tunabuna said.
“Our farmers have been listening to the advice and some were preparing for it.
“This prolonged dry season will be there for some time and the ministry has already rolled out its strategies.”
He said assistance included irrigation support and the allocation of water tanks to improve access to water, particularly in the Western Division and Government stations.
The ministry was also working in Macuata and areas in the West stretching from Rakiraki to Nadi.
Mr Tunabuna encouraged farmers experiencing difficulties to contact the ministry directly for assistance.
“We are prepared, we have strategies and we have indicators to trigger our actions.”
However, he said there was currently no indication that a state of emergency would be declared.
“We don’t have any indication of the state of emergency to be announced yet.”
