Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Inia Seruiratu has commended the efforts of the youth of Naitutu Village in Tailevu.
This was after the youths collectively ventured into yaqona farming to empower them to become independent and financially stable in the long term.
The Naitutu Village Transformation Youth Group comprise of 25 young men.
The group started their yaqona farm last year, following in the “Rural Millionaire” concept adopted by the villagers of Sawaieke in Lomaiviti in 2018.
To date, the youth have planted more than 40,000 yaqona plants which they intend to harvest in 2024.
Mr Seruiratu visited Naitutu Village to officiate at the youth group’s end-of-year celebration on Thursday.
In addressing members of the youth group, Mr Seruiratu said he was inspired by the individual efforts and determination shown by the youth through the establishment of their yaqona farm.
He reminded the youth to put to good use the money that they would earn from farming for the betterment of their families.
“Nothing is ever hard,” he said.
“Remember progress is impossible without change. People who cannot change their mindset, cannot change anything.”
“You have shown that you have fully committed to change and I encourage you to not give up.”
“Keep working together. I have never stopped stressing that during this COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to be in rural Fiji.”
During his visit, the minister also donated some items to assist the youth group in their farming incentive. The items included a chainsaw, tents, and a sprayer.
Youth group Chairman, Lekima Soqo thanked Mr Seruiratu and the ministry for the much needed assistance, saying it would greatly assist the youth in their daily farming activities.
“We are really thankful to Government for this assistance.”
“Our youth go and camp out in the farm and we do not have any proper shelter so the tents donated to us will enable us to have proper shelter,” Mr Soqo said.
“Also, we have just been wanting to get a chainsaw and we’re grateful that the Minister is able to assist us in this regard.”
Meanwhile, Mr Seruiratu also urged the youths and villagers of Naitutu gathered at the celebration on Thursday to prepare their individual families and village well for the current cyclone season.
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