By admin 
Villagers in Kumi, Tailevu, are calling on the government to set a price benchmark for seaweed as climate change continues to threaten their livelihoods.
Fishing and farming have traditionally been the main sources of income for the village, but rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are making these activities more challenging.
The price of seaweed in the markets varies between $3 and $10 depending on the size or quantity sold.
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Kumi village head Timoci Ravasakula explained that climate change has affected their ability to catch seafood and grow vital crops such as Yaqona and root crops.
He said the financial well-being of many villagers has been compromised as they can no longer rely on the sea and land in the same way as before.
“Our financial income has been affected because we can no longer fish or harvest seafood as we used to, and growing crops has become much more difficult.”
In response to these challenges, the village had implemented a seaweed project with support from the Ministry of Fisheries.
The initiative has helped supplement the village’s income, but also comes with its own problems.
Ravasakula pointed out that the price of seaweed remains low, which undermines the financial viability of the project.
“Planting seaweed is tough and requires long hours at sea. Despite ten years of success, the income is not enough.”
Ravasakula believes that setting a price benchmark for seaweed would provide much-needed support to rural communities facing similar hardships due to climate change.
He stated that these challenges are not unique to Kumi as many villages in Fiji depend on the sea and land for their survival.
Addressing the economic impact of climate change is critical to ensuring the sustainability of these communities.