Navua farmers are expected to go big on rice farming from next month.

Farmers representative Naresh Chandra Khelawan told Fijivillage that people who used to do rice farming are now left with only a few cows and face financial difficulties.

He said their land is now lying idle and he initiated the move to form a cooperative to do rice farming. According to Khelawan the Finance Ministry through the Agriculture Ministry will provide some financial assistance in this project.

Khelawan adds about 36 farmers have agreed to do rice farming in 180 acres of land which is expected to produce 300 tons of hybrid rice.