68-year-old Osea Vutikalulu says cocoa farming is a business that has rarely been practiced in Fiji in recent years, and it is a source of income that needs to be revived.
While speaking to fijivillage News during the 2025 Farmers Summit at the FMF Gymnasium, Vutikalulu says he was born and raised in the cocoa business in his village and continues to farm cocoa with his family.
Vutikalulu is from Navicovatu Village in Wainibuka, Tailevu.
He says to this day, he has 500 cocoa trees on his plantation and plans to plant more as he earns more from the business.
Vutikalulu adds there is a strong international demand for cocoa, but Fijian farmers are unable to meet this demand due to limited production.
He is urging farmers to invest more in cocoa farming, as it provides long-term benefits compared to crops with shorter harvesting periods.
Vutikalulu adds that at this summit, he will emphasize the need for the government to invest more in cocoa farming, rather than focusing solely on dalo, yaqona and other crops.
The Farmers Summit is currently underway at the FMF Gymnasium in Suva and will conclude tomorrow.
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