Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama yesterday afternoon launched the new Vetiver Grass Nursery, a project that aims to strengthen the eroding shorelines of riverside communities in the northern division.
The $200,000 project was funded by the Korean Government, an investment that will help lend security to #Fijian families for generations.
Prime Minister Bainimarama said it’s a resilient species which can lend that very same characteristic to Fijian communities.
“Its root systems stretch deep down into the soil it occupies, stabilising it to the encroaching waters, providing a natural frontline defence system between Fijians and raging river waters.”
“This nursery will consistently grow high-quality vetiver grass planting slips, creating a sustainable cycle of resilience-building that will steadily help adapt the North to climate impacts.”
This new Northern nursery in Labasa is complemented by two others; one in Nadi and one in Nausori.
Across #Fiji, newly planted fields of vetiver grass are already staving off floodwaters in more than 30 communities, as Fiji has helped pioneer this climate-resilient, nature-based solution; one it hopes to see emulated the world over.
Prime Minister Bainimarama also handed over a new fibre boat to the people from the island of Mali, Vanua Levu.
