Poultry farming and the manufacturing of virgin coconut oil will be the two major projects to improve the livelihood of women in the Fiji this year. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation says it will assist women's groups in the country establish 10 poultry projects and 10 projects in virgin coconut oil.
Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Jiko Luveni said women comprised 49 per cent of Fiji's total population and as such, their economic empowerment held the key to financial independence and national development.
Dr Luveni said the government had plans this year to further increase the coverage on the ministry's income generating programs (IGP) to elevate the financial status of women in Fiji.
"We will firstly be addressing the projects from last year and we will be increasing coverage on all our IGP," she said.
She said through the livelihood empowerment program, the ministry established 16 poultry projects with a budget of $70,000 last year.
She said 31 women groups were assisted through non - government organisation grants to start their income generation in agriculture, poultry, sewing, canteen, bread baking, piggery, bee keeping, fish ponds and salt making projects.
Dr Luveni said virgin coconut oil (VCO) and poultry would be the two major projects to boost income generation to improve the livelihood of women in Fiji.
"We are really stepping up with VCO this year because VCO production has multiple economic benefits."
"It is able to provide women with by-products with which they can save money from instant cooking oil, soap making, medicines for skin disease treatment and all other by - products women can produce without any costs."
Dr Luveni said her ministry had received a budgetary allocation of $70,000 for the development of poultry and VCO income-generating programs and $100,000 under NGO grant to assist women's groups with their IGP and livelihood.
Source: The Fiji Times
