w Zealand
p. 123 · Read in the full issue
[?]Ght Spot In
I Development
[?]re Bananas For w Zealand
STEADY increase in banana production is one of the few bright spots in the development Fiji’s agricultural activities — icularly those in which Fijians principally engaged. the areas bounding the main ■s and the roads, on the main id of Viti Levu, the planting ickers is being steadily increased, results should soon be seen in ;ased production, le Sigatoka area has a banana lopment plan under way which xpected to double production in the next 12 months. . the fertile island of Vatulele the south-western coast of Viti ), 36,000 suckers are being ;ed this year and it is planned ‘t production up to 1,000 cases le middle of next year, t for really substantial develop the island of Kadavu, 60 miles i of Suva, holds out the most ctive prospects. ce a port of call for Sydney
mail boats in the early days of the Colony, Kadavu may again attain that status.
When the Union Company’s new refrigerated vessel Tarawera comes on the Fiji run, in the middle of next year, there is a likelihood that it will call at Galoa Harbour, at Kadavu, to load bananas. There is deep water close in shore, and there is 12 feet of water at the old wharf on Galoa Island. It is proposed to bring bananas by cutter to Galoa Island and lighter them to the banana ship.
In 1954, Kadavu shipped 2,334 cases; 3,057 in 1955; and 11,173 in 1956. This year, to the end of April, 8,126 cases had already been shipped.
But the ultimate plan provides for 50,000 cases a year, which would certainly justify Kadavu becoming a port of call for the banana ship.
The plan drawn up for Tailevu, Ra and Naitasiri districts provides for two cases per man per day, and planting is being carried out on that basis. At present, production is roughly five cases a month for each Fijian growing bananas.
The two cases a day would give each man an income of £1 a day; a good income for a Fijian, over and above the food he grows on his land, and various other sources of income from the sale of vegetable produce, etc.
And (as Ratu Edward Cakobau, when Development Officer for those areas, pointed out) that income comes to him on his doorstep; the bananas being picked up at the local packing station, trucked to Suva, and then shipped to New Zealand without any expense on his part.