More than 300,000 Yaqona planting materials distributed to Yaqona farmers nationwide

More than 300,000 Yaqona planting materials were distributed to Yaqona farmers nationwide since the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston in 2016.

This was highlighted by the Acting Minister for Agriculture and Forests Osea Naiqamu after he was asked by SODELPA MP Ro Kiniviliame Kiliraki on strategies to address the Yaqona shortages.

Naiqamu says farmers were assisted with the materials which will be ready for harvesting in 1 to 2 years from now.

SODELPA MP Semesa Karavaki also asked Naiqamu if there was a levy in place for farmers on the provision of the planting materials or was it given for free.

Naiqamu said he will provide the information at a later time.

NFP Leader Biman Prasad then asked what has been done to the increasing price of yaqona in places like Savusavu.

Naiqamu says that the increase in price was for the benefit to the farmers who suffered from the effect of Winston.