Ministry of Forestry Empowers 23 Trainees in Timber Processing and Manufacturing
The Ministry of Forestry, Fiji has achieved yet another milestone following the presentation of certificates to twenty three trainees who have successfully completed a seven-month long training in timber processing and manufacturing at the Ministry’s Timber Industry Training Centre in Nasinu today.
10 participants are from the Lau Group, five from Tailevu Province, five from Ba Province and one each from Rewa Province, Lomaiviti Group and Bua Province. Two female participants also graduated from the training.
In his opening address, chief guest and Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Honourable Kalaveti Ravu said Fiji is well endowed with natural resources and, yet, the customary owners’ continuing lack of capacity in a number of areas is preventing them from fully utilizing their resources to adequately support them in meeting their socio-economic and environmental needs.
“In response, the Ministry has initiated a training program for youths from customary landowning communities to equip them with the required knowledge and skills to produce saleable products from logging and timber processing residues, contributing to the overall reduction of wastage from our forest harvesting and processing activities while generating income and employment opportunities,” Hon. Ravu said.
The honourable minister said after their formal training, the trainees are further supported through the Ministry’s Forest Subsidy Program for the purchase of suitable value adding machines to enable them to start their small businesses.
“The subsidy program supports forest related small businesses including non-wood forest products. Our support does not end there as we also use our networks to connect the businesses to the markets,” he said.
Hon. Ravu added that the subsidy program, for the past decade was allocated an annual budget of $50,000, however, this year the current government has allocated a budget of $200,000 which is an increase of $150,000.
“This is a testament of government’s commitment to empower customary forest-owning communities to improve their socio-economic well-being, enhance forestry contribution towards our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and also in meeting the nation’s overall sustainable development goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, training participant Akosita Levaci said despite the training being male-dominated she was not weary to take on the challenge.
“I pushed myself and I was determined from the start that if my colleagues could do it than I could as well,” Ms. Levaci said.
The Totoya lass who shares maternal links to Kabara Village in the Lau Group said she and her fellow participants from Kabara are planning to venture into forming a co-operative and run a business moving into the future.
Sunia Tikotale from Nausori Highlands said he’s learnt a lot from the training.
“I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different species of trees, the grading of trees, carpentry and chainsaw maintenance and safety,” Mr. Tikotale said.
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