Paama farmers push food security through local produce

July 9, 2026 11:18 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Hilaire Bule.

Four farmers from Paama arrived at Marobe Market at Bladiniere Estate in Port Vila with five large crates of wild yams to showcase the island’s potential to contribute to Vanuatu’s food supply.

One of the farmers, Joel Sakaran, said they brought their crops to show the national Government and the MALAMPA Provincial Government Council that Paama has the potential to help provide safe and locally grown food, particularly for Port Vila.

He said the farmers came from one village in southern Paama, but wild yam is planted across the island.

Mr. Sakaran said Paama has five varieties of wild yam, which are eaten throughout the year. Unlike some other yam varieties that are harvested only once a year, wild yam can be consumed across different periods.

He said the increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) was partly linked to people turning away from local foods and relying more on imported products.

Sakaran said the Government should develop a project to support wild yam cultivation throughout Vanuatu.

He said wild yam is not only a safe food source but also a resilient crop that can withstand cyclones and other impacts of climate change.

Sakaran said developing wild yam across Vanuatu would help communities maintain access to local food during disasters.

He said there is strong potential to expand the crop, but farmers need Government support to develop the sector.

The farmer said wild yam also contributes to environmental protection.

“It normally needs trees to climb in order to produce good tubers, meaning it also contributes to protecting the environment,” he said.

Sakaran said they are farmers from South Paama and this was their second time travelling to Port Vila to sell their crops.

The farmers also arrived with more than 40 roosters.

“We also came with local roosters, which are normally used in traditional laplap such as ‘sosor’, so people in Port Vila can eat laplap with local meat instead of imported chicken,” he said.

Sakaran said wild yam is also used in wedding ceremonies in Paama.

He said the small islands of Vanuatu have already shown their ability to contribute to feeding the country, but this requires Government commitment to further develop local food production.

When Category 5 Cyclone Harold devastated Pentecost in 2020, the small island of Tongariki sent more than 30 tonnes of yams to communities in North Pentecost.