PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 10:15 PM by Luigi

Fiji farmers cautioned on weather

From ReliefWeb.

The Agriculture Ministry is requesting farmers in the low-lying flood prone areas to take precautionary measures in a bid to minimize flood damages to their crops and livestock.

This request follows warnings from Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad, who said a tropical depression moving across the region is expected to bring more rain and gusty winds for the rest of the week.

According to the Director for Animal Health and Production, Joeli Vakabua, animals should be taken to higher grounds before the floods arrive and tied there.

"Animals should be moved during daylight and not at night or in the hours of darkness where flying or drifting roofing materials could injure both animals and humans," advised Mr Vakabua.

"Farmers also have to be wary of culverts and other waterways created by floods and keep family members and animals away from them." He also added that after the flood, grass should be cut for livestock while awaiting human rehabilitation and assistance.

Acting Principal Agriculture Officer (Central) Uraia Waibuta also commented on the current weather pattern prevailing in and around the country and said that farmers need to be cautious.

"Soil conservation is an integral part of farming and if we continue to cut down trees and just use land anyhow, we should expect great damages to our farms," he said.

"That is the reason we are pleading with farmers to always take advice from us especially when it comes to soil conservation because that is the only way we can keep our crops from major damages," he explained.

"This weather will probably go on for a few more days since we are into the cyclone period, so it is best for farmers to follow these precautionary measures so that losses are at a minimum."

Farmers have been asked to seek further advice from agricultural staff in the various localities whether it is crops or livestock.



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The Agriculture Ministry is requesting farmers in the low-lying flood prone areas to take precautionary measures in a bid to minimize flood damages to their crops and livestock. This request follows warnings from Director of Meteorology Rajendra Prasad, who said a tropical depression moving across the region is expected to bring more rain and gusty winds for the rest of the week. According to the Director for Animal Health and Production, Joeli Vakabua, animals should be taken to higher grounds before the floods arrive and tied there. "Animals should be moved during daylight and not at night or in the hours of darkness where flying or drifting roofing materials could injure both animals and humans," advised Mr Vakabua. "Farmers also have to be wary of culverts and other waterways created by floods and keep family members and animals away from them." He also added that after the flood, grass should be cut for livestock while awaiting human rehabilitation and assistance. Acting Principal Agriculture Officer (Central) Uraia Waibuta also commented on the current weather pattern prevailing in and around the country and said that farmers need to be cautious. "Soil conservation is an integral part of farming and if we continue to cut down trees and just use land anyhow, we should expect great damages to our farms," he said. "That is the reason we are pleading with farmers to always take advice from us especially when it comes to soil conservation because that is the only way we can keep our crops from major damages," he explained. "This weather will probably go on for a few more days since we are into the cyclone period, so it is best for farmers to follow these precautionary measures so that losses are at a minimum." Farmers have been asked to seek further advice from agricultural staff in the various localities whether it is crops or livestock. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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