THE MINISTER FOR YOUTH AND SPORTS
HONOURABLE PARVEEN KUMAR BALA
Friday 8th January, 2021, 11:30 AM
• Provincial Administrator of RA
• Senior Government Officials
• Management of Tataiya Memorial School
• Representatives from Office of PA Ra
• Advisory Councillor
• Youth members
• My Ministry staff
• Ladies and Gentlemen
Bula Vinaka and a very good-day to you all,
I would like to thank you all for being present here today.
It has been interesting to note the level of resilience many of our young Fijians have shown despite the challenges we have undergone last year.
Our efforts to reach out with our Youth Farm Initiative have been continuing with high demand and public interest. Many young Fijians are stepping forward and applying for this grant assistance to help make something of themselves. I commend these young Fijians who have chosen to take this pathway instead of straying away to other pathways of drugs and illegal activities.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today I’m here to handover farming assistance such as vegetable seedlings, farming tools, water pumps and of course funding for land preparation. I’m also told that 66 youths will benefit from the grant.
In recent months, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has strengthened its efforts in engaging more youths into farming, handing out this similar farming assistance to youths across the country.
Just yesterday, we were in Ba for this similar programme whereby 80 youths will benefit. Last week we were in Labasa to support and assist 15 youth clubs as we handed over this similar grant to our youths who were affected by the recent Cyclone Yasa.We were able to handout grants and a total of 400 youths will benefit from this assistance.
This was developed as a response plan in the wake of the global pandemic some six months ago. It is also a way to raise production to enhance food security. Our Youth Farm Initiative Programme is intended to bring food on your plate. There is a big difference between others and us. Other people are interested in power but our priority is to empower our youths across the country. This is the commitment of today’s Fiji towards food security.
Many Fijians are still recovering from last years extreme challenges. First a pandemic, now the aftermath of the Cyclone Yasa. I would like to remind you all to take it one day at a time. With the help of your Government, we will ensure that communities and stakeholders join forces for a quick recovery from the recent Cyclone Yasa.
Please help your fellow neighbours in these trying times.
Together we can achieve more.
So with these few words, I congratulate you all and wish you a happy 2021.
Vinaka-vakalevu!