AHP Staff preparing for the march at Y Corner. Photo:SUPPLIED
The 2015 Northern Agriculture Show continues in Labasa this week with land preparation and local food preparation demonstrations.
Principal Agriculture Officer (PAO) North, John Cox said that the Agriculture Show is part of efforts to raise awareness on the importance of soil and going local – meaning using locally home grown food for meals.
“We want to be able to inform the public that Agriculture is a thriving industry and we want to encourage them to become a farmer as well as to plant in their backyards, with the idea to reduce the import bill and to export more,” he said.
Mr Cox said that school children are also participating this week as they present their views through oratory contests on the 2015 Agriculture Show theme : Sustain Our Soil, Nourish our Nation, Reaffirm our Future, which is also aligned to the 2015 International Year of Soil theme: “Healthy Soils for a healthy life.”
Commissioner Northern, Jovesa Vocea who opened the Show as it commenced on Tuesday (08/07) said that sustainable soil management is the basis for food systems, fuel and fibre production, essential ecosystem functions and better adaptation to climate change for present and future generations.
Mr Cox highlighted that this year’s Show is much different from previous Shows because the demand from the public and stakeholders for the booths increased from 53 to 73 this year with an additional nine (9) marquees.
“Fifteen government departments are also participating with a total of 38 stakeholders plus 23 schools including primary and secondary levels from rural and urban schools,” Mr Cox said.
“It’s a big improvement to us due to the fact that our Show has been recognized and is becoming bigger and better,” he said.
The Agriculture Show in the North ends this Friday July 10.
Several more Agriculture Shows will be held this year in the Central, Western and Eastern Divisions.
The West Agriculture Show will be held from August 4-6 at Garvey Park, Tavua, the Central Division will be held from 9-11 September at Syria Park, Nausori and the Eastern Division Shows will be held in Levuka, Lau and Kadavu later on this year.
Press Release