Fiji loses an average of 50 tonnes of soil per hectare annually, almost four‑times the globally accepted level for tropical countries, which is 13 tons per hectare each year.
This was highlighted in a workshop attended by representatives from Fiji’s Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Forests, that aims to help communities across Fiji reduce soil erosion and boost farming productivity.
Food and Agriculture Organization National Project Coordinator, Maika Daveta says that the three day train the trainers workshop will allow farmers to better their knowledge on soil composition adding that this will be beneficial for farmers when they look to for the right fertilizers to use on their farms.
Daveta says that it is important for farmers to know the nutrient composition of the soil in their farms to know what crops will be best suited to plant.
He says this will also introduce participants to skills needed to effectively diagnose soil health problems and formulate potential solutions.
The workshop will end tomorrow.
The workshop is the first in a series of training targeted across the country, organized by the Pacific Community with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Action Against Desertification Program.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations