A vegetable farm being looked after by inmates at the Labasa Corrections Centre.

The Labasa, Taveuni and Levuka Correction Centres have been encouraged to plant more food, says Acting Commissioner Akuila Namakadre. 

The comment was made following a food security visit to the three centres this week. 

“We want to ensure that all Corrections centres reach 100 per cent self-sufficiency in terms of planting root crops, vegetables and fruits. 

“Once they reach that target they should work towards achieving another 10 per cent as a contingency,” Namakadre explained. 

He said the contingency plan was crucial in case of a natural disaster like a hurricane or flooding. 

“Upon achieving that, they must aim to achieve 20 per cent for commercialization and entrepreneurship where proceeds are to go to the TMA,” Namakadre said. 

For the Labasa Corrections Centre, Namakadre said while there is still a need for more work there was a marked improvement in terms of the increase in variety and volume of vegetables. 

The FCS is encouraging food security at all its 12 institutions to ensure that upon their release, inmates can engage in small-scale subsistence farming which will in turn guarantee a secure livelihood for their families. 


www.corrections.org.fj