A Naitasiri dalo and yaqona farmer said the COVID-19 lockdown has been a huge blessing for him.
Jovesa Rokosuka from Gusuisavu Village said trading at the Sawani containment border was easier and cheaper than travelling all the way to Suva.
The Fiji Times caught up with him during his third trade of yaqona stems.
“I have a customer from Lami who has just started his yaqona farm so I help him by selling a bag of stems for $100,” the 34-year-old father of one said.
“Selling the stems is earning me enough to meet all my family needs at this time.”
Mr Rokosuka said he had planted yaqona over the past five years and sold the stems to his customer and the pounded waka in his village at $5 a bag.
“I will wait for the border to open then I will sell cassava and dalo.
“The money I earn from selling yaqona will be used to buy our basic food items and soap for washing.”
Mr Rokosuka said COVID-19 also meant people’s mindsets needed to change in terms of the food they consumed.
“This time we as a parents should think smart, look towards the future and start teaching our children to eat our very own fresh vegetables at the farm.
“And my advice to villagers who have access to land, make use of it because we have resources and we need to use it wisely.”
