Funeral arrangements are now being made for the 62-year-old former interim Agriculture Minister Jainendra Kumar who passed away peacefully on Saturday.

Kumar's son, Dr Jashnil Kumar told Fijivillage that Kumar had served 42 years in the Agriculture Ministry and had numerous job offers abroad but he had always wanted to serve Fiji and the people of Fiji.

Kumar was also a former Director of Research at the Agriculture, Sugar and Land Resettlement, based at Koronivia Research Station.

He was appointed as the interim Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Primary Industries in 2007.

Kumar is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

He will be laid to rest later.