VITI UVI FARMERS ASSOCIATION

ams are high-valued food that is easily grown and matures quickly in the right soil conditions. Yams continue to make an important contribution to nutrition and food security, climate change adaptations, and resilience due to their longer shelf-life and ability for value-adding here in Fiji and other Pacific Islands.
Unlike most other tropical root crops, yams exhibit good storage qualities. Yam tubers and planting materials can be stored for up to 3 months – 6 months. Most varieties of yams require a minimum of 6 months of the growing season and do not tolerate poorly drained or waterlogged soils. Yams continue to make an important contribution to nutrition and food security in Fiji. Yam is an important prestige food in Fiji because of its symbolic value in many aspects of social life and is also important in rural exchanges.

Yam production in Fiji has fluctuated substantially in recent years. It tends to increase through 1972 – 2021, a period ending at 6,523.43 tonnes in 2021. The export of yam tuber in 2019 was only 4 tonnes. Yam exports are categorized as fresh, chilled, frozen, or dry, and whether or not sliced or in the form of pellets.
Every year, the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways organizes a Yam Day celebration where yam farmers showcase their yams as a form of competition, participation of stakeholders, women, and youth groups, and value-adding displays of yams.

The Viti Uvi Farmers Association (VUFA) was formed in 2022 by the Fiji Crop and Livestock Council and is registered with the Registrar of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations.
The Viti Uvi Farmers Association (VUFA) was formed for the following purpose: –
✓ To serve/meet the needs of yam farmers;
✓ To assist the yam farmers with the reproduction/multiplication of planting materials; and
✓ To provide a linkage/channel of communication and sales of yams in the local market and for export.
✓ To promote, promote, and maintain just, fair, and proper treatment of its members in all aspects of the VUFA;
✓ To represent the interest of its members to the Fiji government;
✓ To negotiate all matters relating to the promotion and development of the VUFA; and
✓ To negotiate all matters relating to the marketing of the uvi and uvi products.

The Viti Uvi Farmers Association (VUFA) plans to revive yam planting in the country, especially in
the rural maritime islands which are prone to the effects of climate change and other natural
disasters to improve livelihood, socio-economic status, food and
nutrition security, alleviate poverty, and to provide employment opportunities.

Our Vision
Building a market-driven industry for the production and distribution of high-quality yams and
yam products for sustainability, resilience, poverty alleviation, and improvement of
livelihood.

Our Mission
To: –
❖ Promote and revive the cultivation of yams;
❖ Provide a safe and protected environment for yam production, storage, and distribution; and
❖ Strengthen the promotion and sales of yams and yam products locally and globally.

Our Values

• Adaptability, commitment, and dedication.
• Accountability, transparency, and honesty.
• Family, honor, and hope.
• Humility and kindness.
• Passion and skillfulness.
• Spirituality and trustworthiness.

Achievements so far

✓ Registration of the association to the Registrar of the Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations on the 28th of February 2022.

Objectives:
✓ To create awareness of the importance of cultivating yams and their benefits;
✓ To improve livelihood and enhance food security;
✓ To encourage youths and women into cultivating yams;
✓ To empower youths, women, and yam farmers with the skills and knowledge of good agricultural practices of cultivating, post-harvest management, and production of yams and value addition;
✓ To revive the cultivation of yams in Fiji;
✓ To provide quality yam planting materials accessible to yam farmers;
✓ To be inclusive and enhance gender equality;
✓ To be compliance with the governance and policies binding the association;

 ✓ To link the yam farmers to possible market outlets, local or export.

Strategies:
• Provide proper technical and advisory support services to yam farmers (men, youths, and women) for the cultivation, post-harvest management, and value- adding of yams;
• Compliance with the trade policies;
• Advocate and build a network for securing trust, support, and corporative members;
• Compliance with the governance and policies associated with the association.
• Provide quality yam planting material to yam farmers;
• Link yam farmers to available markets (local and export);
• Registration of new members;

Action
• Organizing empowering and upskilling training for youths, women, and men in yam cultivation, post-harvest management, and value-adding of yams.
• Conduct awareness programs for the present and new members.
• Conduct registration of new ginger members.
• Organize ginger farmers for the provision of quality ginger seedlings.
• Conduct awareness on the governance and policies of the association.

Membership
The membership is open to any person who is currently planting ginger and those farmers who are interested in planting ginger. The entrance fee for members of the Association shall be $50.00 and the subscription fee shall be $25.00 annually. The entrance fee and the subscription fee shall be non-refundable.

Members who are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears of subscription shall not be entitled to any Association benefits, nor will they be permitted to vote at any Association’s meeting. Members whose subscriptions are more than thirteen (13) weeks in arrears shall cease to be a member of the Association.
All members must abide by the rules of the Association. All intending new members have to apply by paying the Entry and Subscription fee and
filling out the FCLC Registration Form. The Registration Form can be obtained online or from the FCLC Office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Level 2 Hugh Robinson Complex, Grantham Road, Raiwaqa, Suva.

1. Mr. Isireli Mokunitulevu (President) 7652118 – isirelimokunitulevu@yahoo.com
2. Mr. Maika Bolatolu (Vice President)
3. Mr. Mesake Raikoro (General Secretary)
4. Mr. Atu Kaitabu (Treasurer)
5. Mr. Levi Tababu (Committee member)

Please Note: – If you do have or face difficulties in contacting the Executive Committee members, do not hesitate to write to info@fclc.org.fj, to voice or express your concerns regarding fruits and vegetables cultivation, production, and marketing.

Get in touch with the Viti Uvi Farmers Association

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