Kolinio Ledua of Lomati Village in Matuku is reaping the benefits of becoming a member of the Lomati Farming Scheme.
The 63-year-old started his yaqona farm in 2018 through the rural millionaire farming project alongside 22 other farmers from the village.
“It has progressed and we have witnessed the blessings received from harvesting our yaqona farms,” Mr Ledua said.
“I have just harvested my yaqona plants to renovate and extend my two-bedroom property built in 2017. I have done the plan for the property and hope to extend it to a four-bedroom house. I also want to include a master bedroom and a verandah.
Mr Ledua has four children – three boys and a girl.
“My youngest son usually helps me on the farm. My other children are in Suva and Nadi.
“The house was also paid for by my son when he returned from working under the NEC scheme in Australia. He paid one third of the property for $4000.”
Mr Ledua said a challenge for the farmers was securing a market overseas to export their yaqona.
“At the moment I’m selling yaqona to customers in Suva and nearby villages in Matuku, but we hope the Government can assist us find a market to export our yaqona.”
