Government is working closely with the dairy industry in the implementation of an agreed package that will address many of the major problems confronting dairy farmers.
This was revealed by the Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Ltd Chairman, Simon Cole who adds that the package has been designed by the Dairy Leadership Group as part of the New Zealand funded $10 million initiative to improve the dairy industry.
The Dairy Leadership Group is comprised of representatives from the New Zealand government, Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Limited, Fiji Dairy Limited, the Prime New Zealand Consulting with representatives from the BTEC team and Bio Security.
Cole says government has already introduced a farmer's compensation package for lost cattle to tuberculosis.
The Fiji Cooperative Dairy Company Ltd states that working with the Group and government has determined that increased efficiency leading to the recovery of the industry can be achieved by implementing a package of interventions.
It adds that this includes developing sufficient quality pasture, constructing proper fencing for consistent pasture rotation, targeted use of concentrate feeds particularly in early lactation, proper calf feeding including a milk replacer and a feed ration to ensure the viability of replacement stock.
The Group is presently identifying money to fund the package including a proper price for a litre of milk.
Cole says that they need the farmers to invest in the industry, benefit from the packaged improvements and for them to see a profit.
He says with government's continued support they believe this could become a reality.
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