Development projects are delayed and the livelihoods of villagers affected following the reduction of kava prices during the COVID period.
In the two districts of Natewa and Tunuloa in Cakaudrove, villagers have had to delay projects because of this situation.
Wailevu Village headman Anare Tibika said the function of all village committees had been stagnant as COVID restrictions banned all meetings.
“This committee also includes our development team and they haven’t been able to meet because of restrictions so all our development plans are on hold,” he said.
“However, last week, we were allowed to meet but with conditions so it’s not all normal.”
In Dawa, village elder Luke Ramulo said they had experienced similar issues with the reduced kava price.
“Buyers come to the villages every week to buy but the price is $70 compared with the previous price of $120 before COVID,” he said.
“So families have had to cut down their budget and what we used to enjoy with the good kava price has now ended.”
In Nadavaci Village, grog farmer Alusio Ray said most farmers had not been keen to sell their grog.
“If we sell, it’s for emergency situations only but if we don’t need the money, then we don’t uproot the grog.”
