PM Delivers $198,000 Excavator to Navuso Agricultural Institute

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka officially handed over a $198,000 excavator to the Navuso Agricultural Technical Institute (NATI) on Saturday, 14 June 2025.

The donation fulfills a promise made during the Rewa Provincial Council meeting in July 2024 and later raised again during the institute’s graduation ceremony.

In his address, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of reducing Fiji’s import reliance by investing in agriculture and equipping young farmers with modern tools.

He urged students to make full use of the excavator to boost productivity in land preparation and agricultural output, and called on staff to monitor its impact through proper recordkeeping.

Head of Institute Mr. Uraia Waibuta thanked the Government, saying the machinery will enhance both learning and production, while serving as a vital bridge between theory and practical training.

The ceremony began with a moment of silence in honour of the late Agriculture Minister Vatimi Rayalu, a strong supporter of NATI.