THE Minister for Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) has pledged to ensure the ministry’s funding for farmers is utilised properly from this year onward.
Augustine Auga said he will strive to ensure right farmers benefit from the funding allocated under his ministry.
“I would like to make this clear to the public that we will be very strict with projects and funding.
“This means we will make all efforts to make sure genuine and right farmers receive right projects.”
The Ministry’s millions of dollars funding in past years also came under spotlight after reports indicated that some of the funding were received by people applying under alias names as genuine farmers.
But Mr Auga said he is meeting with directors within the ministry to commence the exercise of tightening up conditions surrounding projects and funding.
“This is one of my aims in ensuring the mess is cleared so that a credible process is in place to stimulate real impact on farmers.”
The Minister added that before winning his electorate to become an MP late last year, he was also a farmer.
“And as such, I know well the needs of farmers and the complaints and pains we’ve had in trying to access projects and funding support.
“Our underlying aim is to issue projects and funding to right farmers who needed the right project and funding.
“To do that, we will have to substantiate applications and ensure there is honesty before we can release funding.”
Meanwhile, he urged farmers to start preparing for the first phase of funding after the national budget is passed.
By DENVER NEWTER
