Picture: Bua farmers participate in a group activity during the farmers training in Saolo Wainunu Bua last week 

A Bua Farmers Committee was set up at the end of a two-day farmers training in Saolo, Wainunu, Bua last week. 

Over 100 kava farmers from around the province of Bua attended the Quality Standard Farmers Training focusing specifically on the commodity organized by the Kava Task Force Committee under the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The idea to set up a Bua Kava Co-op was brought to the attention of the participants who attended the training by Kadavu Provincial Council Chairman Ratu Malakai Masi who shared their Kadavu experience. 

Ratu Masi explained he had started from his ‘vanua’ first in Nalotu, in the district of Yawe, before bringing the idea for formal approval to the ‘Bose va Koro’ then ‘Bose ni Tikina’ and finally the ‘Bose ni Yasana’. 

He said in itaukei, his ‘vanua’ had set up groups of ten villagers who set weekly targets to plant yaqona and other root crops. However, he said ‘solesolevaki’ was only restricted to the second and third week of every month. The first, fourth, and fifth weeks, Ratu Masi added, were dedicated to personal commitments.  

He said the schedule was strictly adhered to. 

In terms of setting the price of yaqona, Ratu Masi also shared the entire ‘vanua’ and province agreed to have one set price for all those outside Kadavu to buy from within.  

The Kadavu Chairman said in essence, the ‘solesolevaki’ concept and setting the price for kava for the province was approved via the traditional leadership structures already in place.  

Based on the Kadavu experience, Bua farmers at the training then agreed to form an interim caretaker committee to see if they could replicate the concept in the province. 

Elected were Interim Chair Mr Tomasi Tunabuna, Vice Chair Mr Basilio Pita, Treasurer Mr Arthur Mills, Assistant Treasurer Mr Esira Bari, Secretary Mr Sanaila Tawake, and Assistant Secretary Ms Monika Cakobau. 

-ENDS-

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