Farmers expect boost in dalo sales

A total of 500 farmers in Bua are experiencing a boost in dalo sales as Christmas nears.

Tui Wainunu, Ratu Orisi Baleitavea said the Lakovata Co-operative which sees farmers from Batinivurewai, Nakabuta, Tucolo and Kubulau settlements and villages utilise their lands and plant dalo have been receiving an increase in orders from markets in Viti Levu and even in the Northern Towns.

He added in the beginning these farmers were struggling to sell their dalo but since joining the co-operative, there has been a steady income for the families.

According to Baleitavea, the co-operatives sell the dalo for close to $2 a kilogram and this has seen a development in the various settlements as the families now have money to spend during the Festive Season.

He added in the past, the villages would have a quiet Christmas but with the money generated through dalo sales, some farmers now are able to send their children over to the main centres for shopping as a total of $750,000 has been generated through sales despite being the co-operative only being a few months old.

Meanwhile, at the end of the month the district of Bua will be having a joint Church service to thank the farmers and villages for the hard work over the year.

The conference will be held on the 31st of this month in Daria.

Story by: Paradise Tabucala