YOUTHS and farmers in the interior of Delaivuna in the southern tip of Taveuni continue to rake in income from the sale of root crops.
However, farmers have become smarter and knowledgeable involving themselves in intercropping methods. The youths have started selling vegetables door to door to make income.
Delaivuna youth Tevita Vakaloloma said he had left his native home of Natewa to farm dalo on the island.
However, after four years of farming, Mr Vakaloloma found out that dalo was not as lucrative as before because its market price fluctuated depending on the volume of supply from farmers on the island.
To counter this problem, Mr Vakaloloma began farming yaqona and other vegetables that he could sell to earn a living.
According to him the practise of intercropping has helped farmers in the area cope with the demands of daily living.
Another Delaivuna farmer, Tagici Temo, said with the help of non governmental organisations such as Teitei Taveuni, farmers were getting smarter with their farming practices.
Mr Temo said farmers became mindful of the fragile ecosystem they farmed in and the repercussions of activities like farming on the land.
Mr Temo said young farmers in the area had learned to farm their land in a sustainable manner.
