Ba farmers stop planting as drought destroys crops

Farmers in Tabataba Village, Ba, have stopped planting new crops after prolonged dry conditions destroyed their cassava and kumala, threatening their main source of income.

Farmer Paula Neibavu said villagers were discouraged from planting because crops were struggling to survive without sufficient rainfall.

“We have decided not to plant anything for now because the cassava we planted withered and the sweet potatoes (kumala) have died,” he said.

Mr Neibavu said farming was the main source of income for many villagers, who supplied root crops to markets in Lautoka and Ba.

Many women in the village also earned a living as market vendors.

With crops failing and no certainty about when conditions would improve, farmers were unsure when they could resume planting.

Livestock affected

Mr Neibavu said the drought had also affected livestock and the village's surroundings.

“There is a rain tree nearby where we used to sit under during hot weather. Now we have to keep moving to find shady spots because the leaves have become thinner and weaker.

“Our horses and cows have to find places to drink because the creeks have dried up. There is also no green grass for them to graze on.”

He said the drying creeks had left animals struggling to find drinking water and grazing areas.

Village seeks piped water

Mr Neibavu said villagers were relying on boreholes for water and wanted the Government to extend water pipes into the community.

“We are asking the Government if it could provide water pipes right to our village. We are paying for electricity to pump water from the borehole,” he said.

He said a major dam located on village land supplied water to Vatusui, Nukuloa, Matawai and Balevuto, but Tabataba continued to face water access difficulties.

“The water supply reaches only as far as the main road. All the creeks have been drying up. The main dam is on our land, but we do not get water,” he said.

Despite the difficulties, Mr Neibavu acknowledged the Water Authority of Fiji's assistance.

“We are thankful that the Water Authority has been supplying water to us every day,” he said.

However, he said villagers still needed a reliable piped water connection.

For farmers who depend on their crops for income, the continuing dry conditions have left them uncertain about when they can return to planting.