It’s a new beginning for farmers in the remote villages of Raviravi, Vuniyamunu, and Naivutu as access to markets becomes easier following the commissioning of the Namasaga Farm Access Road by the Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Mosese Bulitavu.
Previously, farmers walked nearly two hours or transported yaqona on horseback to reach the nearest access point, severely limiting productivity and income despite having a valuable crop.
The new road, funded under the Ministry’s Rural Outer Island (ROI) Development Programme at a cost of $96,500, is expected to significantly improve daily life for farming families.
Uluniwai Farming Cluster leader Aliki Nayacamate says farmers endured years of hardship due to poor access.
He says they planted yaqona, but without a road, it was very difficult.
Nayacamate says they are grateful to the Government, as a journey that once took hours now takes just four minutes by car to reach their farms.
Kava is the main source of income for the three villages, with the Uluniwai Farming Cluster now owning more than 60,000 yaqona plants.
The improved access will boost productivity, reduce physical strain, and better meet market demand.
Minister Bulitavu says the road is a critical investment in rural livelihoods and economic growth.
He says the project is about improving access, supporting livelihoods, and reaffirming Government’s commitment to ensuring that rural communities are not left behind in national development.
Bulitavu adds that improved access enables farmers to maximise output, improve efficiency, and better connect to markets—helping communities move from subsistence to sustainable economic activity.
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