MARKETING agricultural products in areas of Cakaudrove has been a major challenge for farmers.
Farmers also shared at the talanoa session yesterday held in Labasa that they had not been able to sell crops at a good price. The workshop — Community and Members of Parliament Engagement — also heard the low price had affected the income of many farmers.
Cakaudrove farmer Nemani Gavidi said while middlemen hardly visited the area to buy dalo and yaqona, farmers had at times been burdened to pay transport costs to Savusavu to sell their produce.
“But when middlemen come to our villages to buy yaqona and dalo, they don’t pay us a good price so we’d like to ask the Ministry of Agriculture to regulate a price so farmers can also benefit,” he said.
Principal agricultural officer North John Cox said middlemen usually considered cost factors before visiting villages or farmers to buy produce.
“So for areas up in Cakaudrove, middlemen will have to ensure that the farmers that side can meet the market demand before they decide to travel to the villages,” he said.
“There have been incidents where middlemen travel to some villages to buy dalo or yaqona and pay so much for travelling expenses yet when they get to the place, the supply is much lower. That is why middlemen make some consideration of cost factors before they go out and buy.”
Mr Cox said risk factors were also considered in the transaction of marketing.
Marketing products a challenge for farmers
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