Good news for cassava farmers in Vanua Levu, as they can supply 10,000 tonnes of cassava every week at the price of $400 a tonne.
In a meeting held in Labasa yesterday, facilitated by Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh, the sale of cassava will begin next week.
Mr Singh said during his campaign leading up to the General Election last year, many farmers asked him for assistance in terms of selling their crops.
“So we had a few options which included setting up a flour mill in Vanua Levu so I approached Anwar Khan in Lautoka who owns the cassava flour factory,” he said.
“He then offered to come and buy the cassava from farmers in the North every week and pay them $400 a tonne and that I why we have organized this meeting.
“This is good for the rural dwellers who can now sell their cassava to the company.”
The company, Tavioka Organics owned by Mr Khan will buy its first lot of cassava next week.
“Meeting with these farmers has been very fruitful and I see there is a need here for the sale of cassava,” he said. “So this is an opportunity for them to plant more cassava and make a good living and we will start buying next week with 10,000 tonnes.
“Our truck will come from Lautoka to Vanue Levu, pick up the cassava and we will buy all sizes as long as it can be peeled and used.”
Mr Khan, who was born in Drasa, Lautoka and moved to Australia returned home to set up his business and has helped Fijians.
“We are here to stay and to help people like these farmers who are in need of selling crops and get an income.”
