FRUIT, vegetable and root crop farms across the Western Division have suffered extensive damage from floods last week.

Nature's Way Cooperative Ltd, a farmers co-op that operates a produce treatment plant in Nadi, says the result of an initial survey conducted last week has revealed serious impacts across the industry. "Damage include heavy and immediate crop loss, siltation of farms, waterlogging, erosion, excessive debris on farms, damage to access roads and damage to farm equipment and packing facilities," said extension services manager Kyle Stice. "High levels of disease are expected in many of the surviving farms because of the waterlogging that has occurred." Mr Stice said Nature's Way was trying to source funds to aid in the quick rehabilitation of farms. He said it was critical that farms supplying the export sector received immediate aid because of the impact that low or no supply of fresh produce could have on numerous businesses that relied on farm produce. "We are currently in discussions with donor partners as to the best way to support the rehabilitation of export farms and also the best way to support the export enterprises so that all stakeholders can survive this series of natural disasters and rise again to resume our place in the export market supplying unique Fijian agricultural products." Source - fijitimes.com