GINGER farming is viable in Vanua Levu but transportation costs have prevented the farmers from venturing into large-scale farming, says north principal agricultural officer John Cox.
While there are areas of potential for such farming, Mr Cox said farmers opted instead to produce in small amounts for the local market.
"Ginger production is viable almost everywhere in the north and farmers are just producing for local consumption," he said.
"There's no problem with the market — it's just the high cost of transportation.
"It's too expensive for a farmer from Nabouwalu to transport his produce to the Labasa Market and this has discouraged them from producing commercially."
Mr Cox said the Agriculture Department had no major plans for ginger farming in Vanua Levu because the commodity was not in demand.
"The farmers here are meeting local demand from supermarkets and interested buyers, even when they produce on a small-scale," he said.
Some potential ginger-growing areas include Dreketi, Seaqaqa, Nadogo and parts of Cakaudrove.