In an article dated August 10, 1984, the Fiji Times reported on the transformative efforts in the Dogotuki Resettlement Project, highlighting how residents from northern Vanua Levu came together to cultivate previously idle land. The initiative marked a significant agricultural development in Fiji, paving the way for new opportunities for local communities.
Spanning 1,251 hectares, the project is situated in Dogotuki, approximately 70 kilometers from Labasa towards Udu Point. The roots of the initiative trace back to 1972 when the Department of Agriculture, supported by the Northern Commissioner, began the subdivision of the land that had been untouched for years. By 1980, interest in this fertile land surged, particularly from the people of Cikobia.
To facilitate growth, the Department of Agriculture sought assistance from the European Economic Community (EEC), which contributed to infrastructure improvements, including a road leading to the site. The land was strategically divided into four sectors, yielding 110 blocks, of which 92 were already occupied or partially settled. By the time of the report, 57 farmers had established their operations in this new locale, with a mix of locals from Dogotuki, Cikobia, and Udu involved in both full-time and part-time farming.
The project was set to continue its upward trajectory, with expectations that all remaining blocks would be occupied by the end of the year. The EEC’s financial support, including $208,000 allocated for roadworks, underscored the project’s importance to regional development. The construction effort, managed by the Public Works Department, was anticipated to wrap up in the next four months.
Central to the objectives of the Dogotuki Resettlement Project was the resettlement of landless individuals from Cikobia and Udu, while also aiming to plant 200 hectares of cocoa. In addition to cocoa cultivation, the project included plans for planting root crops and yaqona. As of the report, the settlers had already planted 30 hectares of cocoa, 13 hectares of yaqona, and around 10 hectares of subsistence crops, illustrating promising early results.
The Australian Government expressed interest in the project as well, donating two chainsaws to assist in the settlers’ agricultural efforts. Overall, the Dogotuki Resettlement Project emerges as a beacon of hope for fostering sustainable agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods of local communities in Fiji.
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