A youth group in Tailevu has called for the establishment of a council for kava farmers to better address issues affecting kava-farming communities.
The call was made during the Kava Bill consultation held in Korovou Town recently.
Speaking at the consultation, Mataka Vou Ki Nadevo adviser Eparama Ramasi said the group is using farming as a way to steer young people away from drugs and other negative influences.
“Our farm is about six kilometres into the forest,” he said.
“We leave early in the morning and return in the evenings.”
He said poor road conditions and the distance from the farm to the main road are among the major challenges they face.
“We also have to cross streams to get to our farms.”
Mr Ramasi said the initiative was started by the community to keep youths occupied and focused.
“This is a community-driven initiative to help prevent our youths from engaging in drugs or giving in to peer pressure.”
He added that the group attended the consultation to learn more about proper kava farming practices.
“We came here today to learn how to better preserve and nurture our kava plants so we can have healthy plants.”
Mr Ramasi said the group has so far planted about 10,000 kava plants, with eight youths involved.
He oversees one of several youth farming groups within the community.
