The Ministry of Local Government, Urban Development, Housing and Environment is urging squatters to move into farming as a source of income generation to enhance their livelihood.

Apart from squatter upgrades, the Department of Housing is also looking at sustainable housing and income generation projects.

For 2012, five income generation projects are being implemented at Nalotawa in Ba, Nativi in Ra, Maumi in Tailevu, Toga in Rewa and Vunivutu in Macuata.

The total budgetary allocation of $500,000 and $100,000 has been deployed for the Western Division Flood Rehabilitation works with a balance of $400,000.

Director Housing Kolinio Bola said out of the $400,000 balance, approximately $50,000 has been utilised for these projects.

“Nalotawa is venturing into agroforestry and eco-tourism project with 25 per cent of work completed.

The Ministry of Primary Industries assisted through soil test and farm management plan while the Ministry of Provincial Development has assisted through flood assessment report for Nalotawa,” Mr Bola said.

“Nativi Village in Ra is also venturing into agro-forestry and eco-tourism with 22 per cent of work completed.

“Toga Integrated Housing and Agriculture project for squatting civil servants has been shelved due to redeployment of $100,000 funding for the Western flood rehabilitation works. Maumi Village’s agro-forestry project is still ongoing because it has just started.”

For the Northern Division, Vunivutu in Macuata, a sugar rehabilitation project for ex-cane farmers has started with 5 per cent of work completed.