The Ministry of Agriculture’s research stations will continue to increase production of selected planting materials with contracted farmers.

This is to increase the supply of planting materials to farmers awaiting assistance.

During a visit to the Naduruloulou Research Station in Nausori yesterday – Minister responsible, Dr Mahendra Reddy says they will continue with their agricultural research to release high yielding varieties.

He says farm-level productivity is quite low and one of the factors is low yielding traditional varieties.

The Minister says they’re organizing farm land to raise seeds and seedlings which will then be distributed to contracted farmers to improve their production.

Plans are also in place for the implementation of management practices to control the outbreak of pests and diseases, which would be coordinated by the Research Division.

Farmers training will also be conducted in all geographical divisions by the Ministry to help familiarize them with the current best practices.

Dr Reddy is currently on a two-day Central Division tour, meeting with livestock and crop farmers and also resolving agricultural and waterways issues.