90 thousand dollars worth of potato seedlings will be distributed among farmers around the Country.
This large scale cultivation of 88 acres, is to help boost business for these potato farmers.
As more farmers are going into potatoe cultivation, the Ministry of Agriculture has imported seeds from Australia to assist with production level.
Shalen Prasad–Public Relations Officer–Ministry of Agriculture said a high yield of potatoes is expected with seedling distribution.
“The seeds we brought it is from Australia,it was a total cost of about 90 thousand Fijian dollars,taking into consideration the shipment and clearing,so finally the seeds have arrived in the Country and farmers have been given the opportunity to once again plant potatoes this season.”
Extension officers are working on land preparation and distribution of seed materials and assisting these potatoe farmers.
He adds “We have imported 33 tonnes of potatoe this season,and the seeds just arrived in the Sigatoka research station on Thursday afternoon,and we cleared the container and released the seeds on Friday morning last week,so some of the farmers took the seeds on Friday and started planting right away.”
88 acres of potatoes are expected to be cultivated in total around the Country.
He said”The seeds will be distributed to farmers in the Western Division right from Nadroga Navosa to the Province of Ra including Nadi, Lautoka and also the seeds will be distributed in the Central Divsion.Farmers have been selected from Navua and Tailevu,we’ll also be distributing seeds in the Northern.”