Help is on its way to Labasa flood victims

from w
Red Cross have been active in handing out emergency supplies to many families stricken in the two or more recent floods in the Labasa area.

Secondly farmers have been given seeds from the Agriculture Department which is absolutely necessary to get the gardens going again, for subsistence and for the market - though seven kilograms doesn't sound very much!

from Fiji Times
Seedlings to boost produce
Saturday, March 17, 2007

Farmers affected by the three floods that hit the Northern Division within one month are asked to take advantage of seedlings being distributed by the Agriculture Ministry. Seven kilograms of assorted vegetable seedlings are being distributed by the Ministry of Agriculture in the Northern Division and farmers are asked to take advantage of this.

This measure, supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community which supplied the seedlings, is targeted at crop farmers affected by the recent floods.
"The estimated production of the distributed seedlings will contribute to an average of 65 metric tonnes generating around $65,000-$70,000 for the farmers," said senior agriculture officer, Macuata, Sugrim Chand.

The seeds include radish, Chinese cabbage, bitter gourd, French bean, long bean, amaranthus, cabbage, hybrid onion, okra, tomato, carrot, cucumber, and watermelon.
The heavy rain and floods early this year caused vast damage and loss to farmers which resulted in a short supply of vegetables, root crops and fruits at the local markets in the division.

Mr Chand had advised farmers to plant short term crops because it would bring about quicker income and farmers should be ready to harvest their crops in a few weeks' time.

He said farmers should be careful while rebuilding their nurseries and to ensure that they have proper drainage system.