Yaqona farmers in Taveuni suffer heavy losses due to theft -Usamate

Yaqona farmers in Taveuni have been victims of theft, which drains their energy as they try to protect their crops from being stolen.

Opposition Member Jone Usamate says an estimate given to him by a villager that up to 7,000 plants were stolen in just a few months in 2024.

Usamate says villagers have suggested that the community needs to be given the power to deal with thieves.

Usamate says they indicate that the networks are such that texts and Viber are used to inform the thieves of yaqona when the owners of yaqona plantations are back in the village, allowing the thefts to take place.

Usamate has also been informed that yaqona was even being shipped across the sea to Vanua Levu for processing, just to avoid detection.

He adds there is also concern that some of the police on the island work in concert with the thieves of the yaqona and the buyers of the plant.

The Opposition says some people say police need to be moved around so they don't stay in one area too long.

Usamate adds suggestions by villagers include banning the sale of green yaqona, information given to police being policed urgently, one complaint made in May 2024 was only followed up seven months later, rotating police officers in Taveuni to ensure they do not remain on the island for too long and using a more proactive approach to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime.

Usamate is urging the government to hear the plea of yaqona farmers on Taveuni and put a stop to this immediately.