Australia provides maize seeds and kumala cuttings to assist Cyclone Tomas rehabilitation efforts
23 July 2010
The Australian Government has provided 4 tonnes of hybrid maize seeds and 62,000 kumala cuttings for distribution to families affected by Cyclone Tomas.
The seeds and cuttings will be distributed across Macuata, Cakaudrove, Bua, Lau and Lomaiviti for planting. In addition, FJ$70,000 worth of fertilizer will be provided to commercial dalo farmers in Taveuni.
This agricultural package, which totals FJ$290,000, has been developed in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) and is being provided as part of the Australian Government’s A$2 million assistance for Tropical Cyclone (TC) Tomas rehabilitation efforts.
At a ceremony in Suva today, the Australian High Commission’s Counsellor - Development Assistance, Ms Sarah Goulding, handed over the maize, kumala and fertilizer supplies to MPI officials.
“The Australian aid program through this assistance aims to help local farming communities recover from the devastation of Cyclone Tomas and support them to rebuild their lives and livelihoods,” Ms Goulding said.
“This package will complement our on-going assistance to those affected by Tropical Cyclone Tomas. Both kumala and maize are fast growing crops and will boost food crop production across affected areas,” she said.
Australian funding support has also been provided to facilitate a kumala program at the Government research stations in Dobuilevu and Wainigata so that in the future these stations will have the capacity to supply kumala cuttings to affected areas immediately after natural disasters.
The assistance also includes funding for rehabilitation and research work to assist commercial dalo farmers in Taveuni. This work will be carried out as a collaborative effort between the MPI and the SPC and will help farmers rehabilitate their dalo plantations. The soil fertility problems in Taveuni will also be examined as part of the project.
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