Opening of Niue's Value Adding Kitchen for Agricultural Products

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) of Niue in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has funded the construction of a new kitchen for processing  agricultural produce for the island. The project's overview was to use the kitchen to process agricultural produce that are readily available in Niue and also to build a gateway to use the processed food for export. The target usage of the kitchen was to use readily available crops such as taro, cassava, sweet potatoes, paw paw, breadfruit, banana, and vanilla to make chips, sauces, chutneys, syrups, essence and other related processed food.

New Value Added and Agro-Processing Kitchen

It has been a year and a bit since the construction of the building began; and finally all the hard work and efforts that has been put into the project has finally finished and was officially opened on Wednesday 9th April 2014. Distinguished guests were invited to witness the opening of the new value added and agro-processing kitchen for Niue and were very pleased to see the layout of the kitchen and the different types of appliances and equipments funded by the project that were displaying inside for the public to see. The construction of the building was done with thanks to the following people; Mr Stan Tafatu (chief carpenter of the kitchen) Mr Charlie Fukulagi Tongahai (plumbing services) and Mr Thirdson AKeimo (Electrician) along with assistance from the staff of DAFF. 

DAFF FAREWELLS TWO

Colin Etuatas farewell banner

 
The year has just started and yet two colleagues have already said their farewell's to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Niue; Mr Colin Etuata (1977 - 2014) and  Mr Tupu Eneliko (2004 to 2014).  The official retirement ceremony for the two colleagues was held at the Alofi Rugby Club House on 27 March 2014.

Mr Tupu working on Vanilla plantation

Mr Colin Etuata at the WFD 2013

The function was well blessed by the rain and also the food and beverages that was prepared by DAFF staff for everyone to enjoy. Mr Colin Etuata from Hakupu has contributed a total of 37 years to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Niue. He started working as a Reg 68 worker on the 5th September 1977 as a assistant quarantine officer. And a few years before he retired he was appointed to take the role as a senior officer in the quarantine and plant protection division. According to DAFF's records; Mr Etuata has served under six directors for DAFF during his years of service.

Mr Tupu Eneliko on the other hand, moved to Niue with the family from Samoa in March 2004 until now. And has carried out his duties with the department working under NIOFA (Niue Island Organic Farming Association); one of the departments projects for Vanilla. 

The whole of DAFF would like to wish Mr Etuata and Mr Eneliko along with their families a happy retirement and all their expectations for the years yet to come.

Tupu Eneliko's farewell banner