Yaqona nursery to be set up in Fiji soon

Fiji will soon have a new nursery to grow yaqona plants thanks to the financial assistance of New Caledonia’s Chamber of Agriculture.

CEO of Fiji Crop and Livestock Council Jiu Daunivalu says the Yaqona Farmers Association president Kiniviliame Salabogi, brought his concern to the council that yaqona farmers were short on planting material and urgently needed help.

Daunivalu says they have received $130,000 assistance from New Caledonia Chamber of Agriculture and channelled some of the funds towards the nursery.

Located in the Waimalua farming area in Korovou, the yaqona nursery is capable of growing 10,000 plants from yaqona seedlings, supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The nursery will be open to the 4,000 registered yaqona farmers Fiji‑wide to assist in their replanting efforts.

As the agriculture industry recorded more than $200millon in losses following the devastating effects of Tropical Cyclone Winston, yaqona experienced severe supply shortages resulting in a price hike of up to $120 per kilogram.

Some of the worst hit yaqona farming areas included Ra, Naitasiri, Tailevu, Bua, Macuata and the Lomaiviti group.

Mandated by Government to represent the interests of non‑sugar farmers in Fiji, the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council now has a membership of close to 30,000 farmers in Vanua Levu and Viti Levu.