Leaving his home at the crack of dawn, 28-year-old Timoci Vunica from Banikea Village in Lekutu, Bua, embarks on a lengthy journey to the Labasa Market. His determination to provide for his young family drives him forward, even as he faces significant challenges along the way.
Vunica emphasizes the ongoing struggles encountered by villagers, particularly due to the lack of proper access roads to farms. Without adequate infrastructure, farmers are compelled to rely on horses to transport their produce, a limitation that significantly constrains their ability to reach the market. A horse can carry only one bag of yaqona or root crops at a time, which severely hinders how much farmers like Vunica can sell.
As a father of two, Vunica sells yaqona to support his family, including his wife, who is currently pursuing her studies at the Fiji National University. He reflects on how the absence of proper farm roads has been a persistent issue in the community, dating back to his birth—no infrastructure has ever been established to facilitate farmers’ access to their lands.
Despite selling yaqona at the Labasa Market for the past three years, Vunica notes that his income is often consumed by basic expenses, particularly transportation costs. While the selling price of yaqona hovers around $100 per kilogram, he can earn up to $200 on a good day; however, there are times when his earnings barely cover his fare back home.
In light of these hardships, Vunica aims to promote a positive message through his kava stall with the slogan “Triple ‘D’ – Don’t Drink and Drive,” which he advocates to encourage responsible behavior among the youth of his community. He appeals to the government and relevant authorities for urgent assistance in building a proper access road to their farms, asserting that improved infrastructure would significantly enhance livelihoods and keep young people engaged in productive work.
As villagers await a response from officials regarding this pressing issue, Vunica remains hopeful that their voices will be heard, paving the way for positive change.
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