On 3rd September 2025, the TAFEA Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority (VPPA) Officer, Mr. Alvan Natuoivi, together with the Agriculture Development Officer for West Tanna, Mr. George Lava, visited a champion root crop farmer, Mr. Steven Iatis, at the Whitegrass area, Central Tanna.

During the visit, Mr. Natuoivi officially registered Mr. Steven as a root crop farmer under the VPPA Product Group. Mr. Steven has dedicated his farming business to root crop production, dividing his land into two plots of half a hectare each.

Upon inspection, the officers observed impressive crop performance across the two plots, as summarized in the table below:

Table: Root Crop Production by Plot (figures as per farm records)

Mr. Natuoivi verified the accuracy of these figures by reviewing Mr. Steven’s farm record book, which details daily production. He commended the farmer for maintaining proper records, highlighting that record-keeping is an essential tool for managing a successful farming business.

Mr. Steven runs his farm with passion and professionalism, treating it as a business. He engages family members as laborers and receives financial support through the National Bank of Vanuatu, Modern Generation Agriculture Loan.

The TAFEA VPPA Officer encouraged Mr. Steven to continue expanding his farm, praising his dedication and commitment. He further advised the farmer to adopt the use of scale and farm gate pricing to strengthen his business model. Mr. Natuoivi also emphasized the importance of increasing root crop production to supply domestic markets at affordable prices, thereby enhancing food security for the local population.

Mr. Steven’s farm stands as a shining example of a well-managed and successful root crop Farm in Central Tanna, showcasing the potential of local farmers to contribute significantly to the agricultural and economic development of Vanuatu.