WHILE Christmas week brings a boost in trade for interior farmers, 42-year-old Nai Vuniwaiwai says the lack of basic infrastructure at the Lautoka minibus stand is a major challenge for travelling vendors.
Ms Vuniwaiwai and a group of vendors left Naveiveiwali, Wainibuka in Tailevu at 10pm on Sunday to reach the city.
Upon arrival on Monday, they were met with poor conditions and a lack of shelter during the rainy weather.
“We arrived in Lautoka on Monday, and we timed the bad weather; there was nothing organised for us, not even a makeshift shelter,” she said.
“Instead, we had to make do with what we had and share with the other vendors.”
The group said they were unable to secure space in the main market.
“We wanted to go and sell at the market, but we were told that it’s only for the more established vendors, that’s why we were selling at the minibus stand,” she said.
The vendors, who are selling a variety of produce including melons, dalo, rourou, kumala, cassava, and chillies, have had to sleep outdoors to protect their produce.
“We know that we could have taken shelter at the mall, but we were worried about our produce, so we ended up sleeping beside our bags and produce.”
Despite the hardships, Ms Vuniwaiwai said the high demand for fresh produce in Lautoka has made the long journey necessary for the Tailevu farmers.
“We get a lot of good business selling here, that’s why we’ve travelled from Tailevu to be here.
“We only request that we be given a better place to sell.
“Even though we come once a year to Lautoka, the council should at least sort something out about our accommodation because they need to understand that we usually arrive around this time during the festive season.”
