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Seedlings and planting materials are being distributed today to farmers in Fiji’s Lau group in the aftermath of Cyclone Tomas.
The Ministry of Agriculture says the cyclone caused havoc to the agricultural sector in Vanua Levu, Taveuni and the Lomaiviti and Lau groups.
Ministry permanent secretary Mason Smith said initial reports indicated substantive damage to the sector, mainly to root crops and vegetables.
Smith said as a result the ministry will distribute seeds and planting materials to the Lau group beginning today.
He said the planting materials include 137,000 kumala cuttings and 1,000 packets each of tomatoes and eggplants. Other seed varieties are also being sourced for distribution.
The ministry has also deployed 21 officers to the Lomaiviti and Lau groups where they officers will assist in the distribution of the planting materials and advise farmers on proper planting practices.
