THE burden of managing commercial yaqona farms on the island of Gau is only fit for horses, says Sawaieke district representative Kelepi Delai Mataitoga.
His comments came after Government distributed 32 horses from Nadroga to the people of Gau last week.
The horses would be used on their yaqona farms.
Speaking from Nawaikama Village in Gau, Mr Mataitoga said horses were needed to transport huge bags of yaqona from the farms to their respective villages.
Mr Mataitoga said the 32 horses were accorded the traditional welcoming known as the cere.
He said it was then distributed to all the 16 villages within the three districts of Gau.
“Now the horses have made work easier for us, each village was given two horses and it has lessened the burden for us; especially having to carry the bags of yaqona, now it’s all done by the horses,” he said.
“When the horses arrived it was a joyous moment for people as if new cars were brought to the island, they were draped in special clothing.”
Since most weren’t familiar with riding horses, he said government veterinarians were also brought to teach villagers about how to manage horses and avoid injuries.
