Former parliamentarian Surendra Lal believes boosting agriculture-based markets will economically empower communities in the North.
Mr Lal, who will contest this year’s general election under the Fiji Labour Party banner, said with so much land available in rural areas, people could be supported to plant more crops, including kava for export.
“We need to have the agriculture sector as our powerhouse in Vanua Levu because we have a lot of land that can still be turned into large scale farms,” he said.
“Through this, we will create more income opportunities and not only will rural dwellers be economically empowered but the whole island will benefit.
“We also need to emphasise the marketing of Vanua Levu to the tourism sector, promoting Savusavu and Taveuni as tourist destinations.”
Mr Lal said airfares and the fishing industry was another area that needed to be looked into.
“We need to support small businesses to grow and expand as these avenues become good economic drivers for community activities.
“Fuel cost is high and we pay more than Viti Levu so is it with food and other items sold in shops so it’s best to reduce the freight cost by having other incentives to make up for the difference in fuel cost.
“This way we will be able to have reasonable and affordable prices for food, fuel and other items.”
