Taveuni yaqona buyer Mr. Anil Deo is celebrating a major milestone with the opening of a new yaqona processing facility in Wainikeli, funded through the Ministry’s Self-Help Programme at a cost of $24,000. The project supports 7 households and 18 people, replacing Mr. Deo’s old shed that exposed his stock to rain and limited his operations.
Key Benefits
- Expanded business capacity for Mr. Deo
- Improved storage and protection for yaqona
- Increased buying power from local farmers
- Economic uplift for Wainikeli families
Minister Hon. Sakiasi R. Ditoka praised Mr. Deo’s perseverance, calling the facility a symbol of how small investments can drive big change. The initiative is expected to raise incomes, improve living standards, and strengthen the rural economy in Taveuni.
