A farmer from Viti Vanua Settlement in Tavua says the ongoing water shortage has forced his family to stop vegetable farming, leaving them struggling with the rising cost of buying vegetables.
Speaking to fijivillage News, Satish Kumar says a bundle of beans, which was $3, is now $7.
Kumar says they currently rely on borehole water, but the supply is limited, forcing them to carefully manage their daily water use.
He says tap water is only available three times a week for a few hours, making it difficult for them to carry out farming activities.
Kumar says they are now only able to focus on sugarcane farming due to the water shortage.
He says the prolonged dry weather is also affecting livestock farmers, as there is not enough grass for their animals to graze on.
Kumar adds that the price of millmix, which is used as livestock feed, has increased from $5 to $17.
He says families are storing whatever water they can for future use.
Kumar is concerned that families may end up buying bottled water, which would place further financial pressure on them.
He says he currently receives two cartons of bottled water from his employer, Fiji Water, which helps his family manage the situation.
Kumar says farmers are struggling with the ongoing dry conditions and is calling on the government to provide financial assistance through grants to help affected farmers cope with the rising costs.
