Fiji Development Bank Backs Enterprising Villagers

Suva, Fiji. The Fiji Development Bank (FDB) Seaqaqa branch was delighted to participate in a joint training session with the Ministry of Agriculture in Bua that was proactively organised by more than 30 community dalo farmers.

The event was designed to help farmers increase their dalo production in Nakorotiki village, Wainunu. While there, a representative from the Bank highlighted the availability of valuable agricultural loans for dalo and yaqona farming. He also touched upon impactful financial literacy programmes and how quality record keeping greatly assists in the ease of obtaining loans. Additionally, information on the ‘Loan for Women Entrepreneurs’ Product and its advantages was well-received.

The Bank’s representative underscored its loan repayment options either through platforms such as M-PAiSA, MyCash, and internet banking to enable efficiency rather than physically visiting their nearest FDB branch.

However, due to the location of Nakorotiki Village, poor network connectivity issues are often problematic. As a result, FDB officers graciously conduct monthly visitation (agency trips) with field receipt books to collect payments.

The FDB CEO, Mr. Saud Minam, lauded the proactiveness of the people of Nakorotiki which deserved recognition.

“The recent festive season saw the price of dalo in the North significantly increase due to low production and high demand. Therefore, we greatly commend the villagers of Nakorotiki for taking the initiative in organising this community training to help their fellow farmers increase their production yields through the Ministry and FDB’s assistance.”

“There’s no substitute for hard work, and we all feel that we can accomplish great things together with our land if we work as one and we stay committed,” he added.

Such collaborations as these will ultimately lead to better livelihoods while simultaneously encouraging farmers to achieve goals through sound farm management and income generation strategies. Working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture and with support from FDB, this initiative will produce sustainability, well deserved income and economic returns.