THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
HONOURABLE PARVEEN KUMAR BALA

Tuesday 27th October, 2020, 11:00AM

• Village elders
• Youth members from the respective youth clubs
• Staff from PA’s Office
• My Ministry Staff
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Bula Vinaka and a very goodmorning to you all,

Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet and engage in a talanoa session with several youths in Moturiki and two other villages. From the discussions we have noted down that their needs are different from other divisions and I have assured them that the ministry will look into it and plan assistance program in line with the need-base here in Ovalau.I believe it applies to your clubs as well.

At the outset, I wish to thank the village elders for a warm welcome and would like to say vinaka-vakalevu! And I would also like to thank the village elders for hosting us here with the other two youth clubs.

Ladies and Gentlemen, government through respective ministries has put in place policies, initiatives and programs and you should be able to make the most of them. Learning new skills and upgrading individual skills are the demands of the time we are living in, therefore I urge youths to continue to take advantage of the programs that are in place by other ministry as well.

We are a young nation, 70% of our population is below the age of 40 and that is why we want to ensure the participation of our nation’s youths to take up farming to sustain the agricultural sector in the country. We are also building its capacity in order to address youth issues and retain them in rural and maritime areas.

This is an area of challenge but as an all government approach, we are turning into areas of opportunities.

With that said, we are here to hand over the grant under our Youth Initiative Farm Project.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I would also like to acknowledge and thank the landowners who have provided consent to these youth clubs to utilise the land for farming.

The materials and seedlings that I will handover today will assist these youths involved in farming for family food security, improve livelihood in the community, create employment opportunities, and improve the youth and community bond.

This process has involved the utilization of vacant land in rural areas for families. Our youths are realizing the value of the land, rivers and sea as the foundation for their lives and therefore be used as an income generator for our youths to meet their needs.

Finally ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to extend my appreciation and wish acknowledge other stakeholders who have provided assistance to help these youths as well.

We have a Youth Officer, who is stationed at our Levuka office, where major focus is to identify and support youth needs and create awareness regarding the ministry’s programs and activities .So please, do visit them.

So with those few words, I would like to say the future lies in our young people despite the challenges.

Thank you and Vinaka-vakalevu!