Ministry of Forestry Hosts Successful Nursery Training in Narata Village
From May 20 to May 24, 2024, the Ministry of Forestry conducted a transformative training program in Narata Village in the district of Waicoba, Nadroga, aimed at educating the community on seed propagation and nursery management. The training saw enthusiastic participation from 42 villagers, including 25 men and 17 women.
The training aimed to empower the villagers with essential skills in establishing and managing nurseries. This initiative promises to bring a range of benefits to the community:
Enhanced Livelihoods: villagers can now generate additional income through the sale of plants.
Quality Seedlings: the training ensures the propagation of high-quality seedlings for both sale and local use.
Increased Forest Cover: encouraging reforestation within the village.
Self-Sufficiency: enabling the community to establish and manage their nurseries independently.
Currently, the village’s economy relies heavily on selling vegetables and root crops at local markets. The new skills acquired through the training are expected to diversify and strengthen their economic activities by introducing plant sales as an additional revenue stream.
The Ministry of Forestry has also outlined future plans to support the village further:
Smart Agriculture: Implementing Agroforestry practices that integrate agriculture and forestry for sustainable land use.
Tree Planting Initiatives: Assisting the village in contributing to the national goal of planting 30 million trees by providing land for tree planting programs.
The training included practical demonstrations and hands-on activities, ensuring that participants could effectively apply their new knowledge. By the end of the program, villagers were well-equipped to start and manage their nurseries.
This training marks a significant step towards empowering the Narata community with sustainable practices that benefit both their livelihoods and the environment. The Ministry of Forestry remains committed to supporting similar initiatives across the country, fostering community development and environmental conservation.
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