Farming, fishing program for Rabi youths

[Stacey King]

FIJI TIMES ONLINE
By SERAFINA SILAITOGA Friday, July 31, 2009

Life on the island of Rabi

TO help improve financial resources on the island, the Rabi Island Council has set up farming and fishing programs for youths. Council administration officer Boukanawa Teaoti said with the financial dilemma, some youths on the island have not taken the initiative to make use of natural resources but continued to rely on their parents for financial backup.

"So we have set up farming programs involving these youths with the aim of helping start their own farms," Mr Teaoti said.

"In the program, the youths are being encouraged to make use of natural resources such as the land and the sea to help them increase financial resources."

He said that the council team had visited villages encouraging youths to get actively involved in farming and fishing.

"We have noticed that some youths have not made use of natural resources and continued to depend on their parents so the council is encouraging them to go out fishing and farming.

"Although we do know that marketing has been a challenge for us where we can sell crops and fish to, it does not mean that we don't make use of natural resources."

He said while a lot of islanders have been involved in grog farming because of the good market, the council encouraged more involvement in root crop farming and fishing. Mr Teaoti said the council in their discussion was also looking at European markets with local dealers in Viti Levu.