“Hemi tru yumi gat bigfala ples beh from yumi no wantem touchem ground, bai me talem seh yumi actem living blong different man e kam inside long country… taem you no wantem touchem ground e minim seh no long time bai yu go bak inside long ground, be taem yu touchem ground bai e tekem time blong yu go bak inside long ground.”
That is the message from lead pineapple farmer Willie Seru, who is calling for more farming and food production in Vanuatu to reduce reliance on imported goods.
Mr Seru said it is time for people to return to the land and produce more fresh food, not only to cut down on imports but also to improve the health of the population.
His comments come following the latest trade report from the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics, which shows that the country continues to import many products that could be produced locally.
According to Mr Seru, the solution is simple — make better use of the land and resources already available.
He also highlighted the need to develop fruit processing in Vanuatu, including products such as dried fruits and juice, to add value to local produce.
“So yumi long Vanuatu spos yumi gat ples blong putum pineapple or any kain kakai, spos yumi mekem factory blong hem, bai yumi save mekem money mo growem country blong yumi.”
He said developing processing facilities would help absorb large volumes of produce and create more income opportunities for farmers.
Another farmer, poultry producer William Lolly, echoed similar concerns, saying local farmers need to increase production to reduce dependence on imported food.
“Hemi good blong yumi ol ni-Van yumi openem eyes blong yumi… me wan me no enough, so me nidim fulap blong yumi kam tugeta blong producem own chicken blong yumi blong reduce import.”
Farmers are now calling for greater investment in agriculture and food processing to support local production, strengthen the economy, and reduce the country’s reliance on imports.
