SUCCESS stories come in many forms and for villagers of Barotu in Ra it came as a quick payout of $140,000.
This was the first of its kind for the Barotu Nursery and Investment Company – a business established to assist with development.
Barotu village lies in the district of Saivou in the province of Ra, approximately 32km from Rakiraki town.
Situated along the Kings Highway, for years the village has been known for its variety of crustaceans.
Many local food enthusiasts and restaurateur often travel to Barotu to restock on giant mud crabs and kuka that are often sold by the villagers by the roadside.
Even though mud crabs have sustained villagers for many years, today it has quickly taken second place as a source of livelihood for the people of Barotu.
The village’s mangrove nursery has quickly taken the limelight as a quick income earner for villagers.
After successfully restoring their mangrove forest under the blue carbon Fiji project, Barotu villagers managed to establish a nursery in their dense mangrove forest with the help of Conservation International.
Men, women and youths established the nursery to cater for seedling demands from rural communities in the Western Division.
In the past year the nursery and company flourished, raking in its first payout of $140,000.
The payment was made to the village after it completed its first order of 82,700 seedlings to communities.
This was part of the Ministry of Finance’s Jobs for Nature Project.
According to Conservation International (CI) communities that received seedlings from Barotu nursery spanned from Ra to Nadarivatu, Yasawa and Nadroga last year.
The nursery, a community-led initiative is under the Blue Carbon Fiji Project, implemented in partnership with the Ra Provincial Council Office.
The village nursery not only safeguards Barotu’s coastline in the future but it will help other communities safeguard their shores too.
Nursery
Starting a mangrove nursery is no easy feat.n With the support of its partners and neighbouring villages within the tikina of Saivou, the vanua of Korolevu was able to deliver what they promised.
Village headman, Mecuisela Tuilewa said establishing the nursery was made possible with the support of Conservation International and communities from the district.
He, on behalf of the community, submitted a request for materials to build a tree seedling nursery, with the aim to supply seedlings towards government’s ’30 million Trees in 15 Years’ initiative.
The nursery was then set up, with the registration of its business arm to expression interest to participate in government initiatives.
The village was awarded the tender to supply tree seedlings to the total cost of $1.2 million.
The launch of the first order was conducted in a special ceremony at the Barotu village hall, by the Senior Assistant Roko Tui Ra Panapasa Raceva.
Establishing the nursery has not only built pride in people to take charge of their natural resources. It has also strengthened community unity and leadership amongst youths and the district of Saivou.
The nursery is looked after by the people of Korolevu and their partners.
“We are taking ownership ourselves. Our men and youths are learning all they can from looking after the nursery. This way we can expand the nursery further in the future,” Mr Tuilewa said.
The vanua company
The Barotu Nursery and Investment Company was established to help assist the people of Korolevu during rainy days.
Since the first payout, the company has assisted the people of Barotu with works on the village hall, village footpath and even funerals.
“If someone wanted to be assisted by the company, they would have to apply. Their application will then go through the proper channels and then reviewed by the board.
“The board will then decide if the company will lend money to assist the villager.
“The board makes sure that the person borrowing will be able to repay what they have taken, that way money borrowed is repaid.
The commissioning of the nursery and company.
Picture: CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
Villagers work on the nursery. Picture: CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
The mangrove seedlings at the Barotu Nursery in Saivou, Ra. Picture: ALIFERETI SAKIASI
Tuilewa and Conservation International’s officer, Sera Janine get their hands dirty at the nursery. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
