The Honourable Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports, Mr Iliesa Delana, recently handed over vegetable seedlings and yaqona cuttings to the Nasaga Youth Club of Bureta Village, Ovalau

In handing over the materials, the Hon Assistant Minister said that the request for assistance was considered due to the programme that the club is currently implementing.

“This request for assistance was considered on account of the ‘Rural Millionaire Farmers Programme’ that youth group is currently focused on” he said.

The group, which includes 35 young men and women, has set its sights on progress through farming and is confident of achieving its target in 10-15 years through the cultivation of yaqona.

“In addition to the yaqona cuttings, we have also provided vegetable seedlings and seed trays. The vegetables are for their short-term income generation project” the Hon Assistant Minister added.

Apart from income generation, the consumption of fresh vegetables from their own farm is a positive way of promoting wellness and healthy living thus supporting government’s initiative in combating non-communicable diseases.

Group member Miriama Koyanasau said the young men in the youth club are maintaining their own yaqona and dalo farms and the young women support them through vegetable farming.

“We have a monthly target that we strive to achieve and while the young men are at the yaqona and dalo farms, us young women tend to the vegetable gardens,” said Ms Korosaya.

“Increasing production is one of our current drives and this 5000 yaqona cuttings and vegetable seeds assistance by Government will help us realise that,” she said.