The Dives Bay Cooperative on Ureparapara Island (Banks Group) is providing significant support to local farmers and fishermen.

One of the key initiatives of the Vanuatu Cooperative Department is to assist people living in remote areas to earn income within their own communities.

Victoria Dini, Manager of Dives Bay Cooperative on Ureparapara, said the cooperative is now playing a major role in supporting fishermen.

“The cooperative buys fish from all fishermen in the community. A fisherman goes out to fish, cleans the fish, brings it to the cooperative, we weigh it on the scale, and payment is made directly,” Ms. Dini explained.

Ureparapara Councillor, Lency Andessen Desleyem, acknowledged that the establishment of the cooperative has greatly benefited the people of the island.

“I acknowledge this system, especially for farmers and fishermen,” he said.

Ms. Dini added that before the cooperative was established, farmers and fishermen had to spend a lot of money on sea transport to take their produce to the provincial headquarters to sell. Now, they can earn income within their own community through the system run by the Cooperative Department.

She also highlighted that the cooperative supports farmers by purchasing market vegetables and island food, which are then sold through the cooperative.

“Since this has been established, it helps farmers bring their produce to the cooperative, and the cooperative sells it,” she said.

Dives Bay Cooperative is now also packaging fish and marketing it to its customers.