Three new farm roads have officially been commissioned across Rotuma, fundamentally changing how local communities interact with their land and markets.
Spanning the districts of Itumuta, Itu’tiu, and Juju, the infrastructural upgrades were made possible through a government investment of more than $85,000 under the Community Access Roads, Footpaths and Footbridges (CARFF) Program.
While commissioning the projects, Minister for Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management Mosese Bulitavu reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening rural livelihoods through targeted infrastructure that supports food security, market access, and economic participation.
“The works include a 60-metre two-strip concrete farm road in Itumuta, an 80-metre two-strip concrete farm road in Tuakoi Village, Itu’tiu, and a 1.5-kilometre two-strip concrete farm road in Juju District,” a ministry statement read.
Community leaders immediately felt the practical impact of these concrete tracks.
In Itu’tiu District, representative Jione Epasio noted that around 20 farmers in his area “will now have easier access to transport crops to the main road for export,” a vital link he said would play a direct role in “helping support their families and children’s education.”
Meanwhile, in Juju District, the new 1.5-kilometre stretch has completely altered daily operations for roughly 26 farmers. Representative Sa’au Injimo explained that the days of manually hauling heavy loads over dirt paths were now behind them.
Mr Injimo said trucks and motorbikes could now reach farms with ease, creating opportunities to increase copra and root crop production for the market.
