Litia Cava 
[Photo Credit: Fiji Government]
The Agriculture Ministry has joined forces with the landowning unit of Naselesele Village to transform 1,182 acres of trust land into commercial farmland.
The move aims to boost income for landowners and set a national benchmark for agricultural development.
Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna told Parliament that the garden island produces over half of the country’s taro exports and a major share of yaqona, fruits, vegetables, and livestock.
Tunabuna said the island’s productivity reflects centuries of traditional knowledge and close partnership between farmers and the Ministry.
Under the three-year MOU, the Ministry and Yavusa o Wainikeli will work on land use planning, farm development, crop nutrition, pest management, irrigation, farm-to-market road upgrades, and access to quality seedlings and machinery.
Tunabuna said the Ministry will fund the program, deploy Extension Officers, and oversee best practices in land use and environmental protection.
The landowners have committed to using the trust land exclusively for commercial agriculture during the pilot.
Tunabuna said the project would integrate climate adaptation measures, including drought-resistant crops, and would be extended to other Taveuni communities and smaller maritime islands once results are proven.
Addressing crop challenges, Tunabuna states the Ministry is tackling kava dieback through biosecurity measures and disease-free planting material.
Tunabuna described the MOU as a model for inclusive, innovative agriculture, creating jobs, strengthening food security and linking even remote villages to markets.
He said the initiative was a clear signal that no community is too remote to benefit from government support and modern farming technologies.
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