Women on Cicia Island in the Lau Group are increasingly focusing on traditional knowledge and sustainable livelihoods, as demonstrated by the value-added products made from natural materials that were presented at the 2024 National Agricultural Show earlier this week. Former civil servant Susana Yalikanacea has been a key advocate for these initiatives among the island’s women.
“For years, I taught women how to make coconut oil, fine mats, incense, and other products,” Yalikanacea shared, reflecting on her time with the Ministry of Agriculture, where she trained women in creating value-added products. “Today, the women of Cicia Island have become self-sufficient, transforming our island into a center of traditional entrepreneurship.”
She highlighted that the Ministry of Agriculture has consistently supported women’s progress in her community. “They provided equipment and materials for our production, even helping establish a dedicated space for manufacturing our products. This allows the women to work efficiently and have everything they need in one place.”
Yalikanacea noted that this approach has empowered women to independently create their products. While the current focus remains on local and regional markets, there are aspirations to expand into the export sector. “At the moment, we want people to experience our products firsthand here in Fiji at affordable prices. We want them to understand and appreciate the value of what we’re making. When we’re ready, we’ll then consider the export market.”
In addition to helping women earn income, she aims to pass traditional knowledge on to younger generations. Through practical training, the women on Cicia are teaching young people the skills necessary to sustain these businesses in the future.