The Bamford Student Farm Scheme has been launched at the Navuso Agricultural School and will provide a pathway for students to gain farming skills and experience before they venture into commercial farming.

This scheme is a $150,000 fully government-funded project to train and encourage the next generation of farmers through practical, hands-on work where students will be introduced to re-generative agriculture and sustainable climate smart agriculture, and will learn about effective time management, farm plans, work programs, irrigation systems, basic e-commerce and generally how to treat farming as a business and effectively cultivate their land resource.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says every student that completes all requirements for the course will receive a full $25,000 in working capital to return home with and start their own farming business.

Bainimarama says there are no strings attached; it is an investment by the Government in Fiji’s future farmers.

A total of five students are ready to begin their course immediately, twenty more future farmers will be joining from late January 2023, that includes one woman.