The Fiji Police Force has reported a total of 534 incidents of theft involving the yaqona plant on Taveuni Island from October 2019 until October of this year. This alarming figure was presented by Prime Minister and Minister responsible for Police, Sitiveni Rabuka, during a parliamentary session where he addressed concerns about the rising trend of such thefts, particularly raised by Group of Nine (G9) Leader, Ioane Naivalurua.
Mr. Rabuka noted the challenges faced in tackling this issue, stating, “There have been some thefts and probably very difficult to explain.” He emphasized that the police are making concerted efforts to mitigate these thefts, employing a community-oriented approach known as the vanua approach.
Here are the theft statistics related to yaqona on Taveuni Island over the years:
– 2019: 71 cases
– 2020: 115 cases
– 2021: 111 cases
– 2022: 98 cases
– 2023: 57 cases
– January to October 2024: 82 cases
The Prime Minister pointed out a notable spike in thefts during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2020, followed by a decline until last year. However, there has been a resurgence in the number of cases this year alone. In response to this issue, Mr. Rabuka mentioned an emerging partnership between law enforcement and local churches, including the Methodist Church, aiming to combat the rising thefts collaboratively.
Additionally, thefts of green yaqona plants have been identified as another growing concern, with no current regulations governing their sale and purchase. The Fiji Police Force is advocating for a framework that requires all yaqona business license holders to adhere to regulations that encompass the buying and selling of green yaqona.
This situation underscores the necessity for regulatory frameworks that can help protect local resources and farmers, as well as the importance of community engagement in solving such issues. With support from local institutions and law enforcement, there is hope that the problem of yaqona thefts can be effectively managed in the future.
By addressing these alarming statistics and advocating for regulation, it is possible that Taveuni Island can cultivate a more secure environment for its agricultural practices and ensure the sustainable growth of its yaqona industry.
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