Drain issues affect farmers
DRAINAGE problems have been ongoing for the farmers of Lakena in Nausori.
To tackle this, they’ve requested the Government many times but these have failed to draw a positive response.
Lakena, being the hub of agricultural land in the area, is also home to those who travelled from the outer islands to settle in the outskirts of Nausori Town, seeking financial stability by doing what they do best — tilling the land.
Such is the case for 60year-old Deo Sharan who, originally from Labasa, has been farming in Lakena for two decades.
“I moved here because all the land in Labasa was reserved. There was no land to do my farming,” Mr Sharan said.
He has six acres of land on which he plants long beans, dalo, bitter melons, moca, cabbage and other crops.
“The only problem I’m facing now is the drainage,” he said.
“I can’t do much about the weather, but the drainage system is not good.
“Not only the drainage but the para grass that grows inside the drains stops the water from draining properly and my farm suffers as a result.”
Mr Sharan said that after the construction of a nearby bridge, the creek has narrowed and causes a water blockage at the entrance whenever there is heavy rainfall.
“This is why we need the Government to improve the drainage system and cut all that para grass by the roadside drains.”
Rakesh Kumar, 58, also a Lakena farmer, shares similar sentiments.
“I plant dalo, bele and other vegetables,” says Mr Kumar.
“My dalo plants are rotting and my bele is starting to turn yellow. Because of the heavy rain, the water is stagnant because the drainage is not good.”
Born and brought up on his farm, Mr Kumar owns 11 acres of land on which he plants cucumbers, pumpkins, bele, dalo and other root crops.
“I sell my products at the Nausori market, but now I’m selling less because seven of my dalo patches have been affected.
“I can’t do much right now. I just have to wait and harvest the ones that are still good to harvest.
“Hopefully, the Government can come through with a better drainage system here.”
With the ongoing quest for a better drainage system by the Lakena farmers, it’s hoped the area will be improved for the betterment of the farming families.
Market vendors who sell their produce at Nausori market are facing problems with drainage in their villages as well.
Susana Tinai, from Sawakasa in Tailevu, sells ota (ferns) which she plants along the river banks near her house.
“I sell ota for a living and the recent weather has really affected us,” Ms Tinai says.
“The flooded river has damaged our farms back in the village and decreased my supply of ota. Our cassava plantation has been damaged, along with our dalo and bananas. Everything was under water.
“Like every farmer, we can’t do much with the weather but we’re requesting the Government to supply us with more dalo tops to make up for the ones we’ve lost.”
The flooded river has damaged our farm back in the village and decreased my supply of ota.
– Susana Tinai