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.
Mr. Banabas Philip is not just a farmer, he is a visionary person. A 35-year-old from the Village of Qweteon, East Gaua, he has established himself as a major force in Vanuatu's agriculture sector through his large-scale kava production.
The Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority (VPPA) business plan 2025, has an activity item to deploy Provincial Officers to each Provinces in Vanuatu. The VPPA have been coordinating this deployment with line government agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFB). In July 2025, a first deployment was done to Tanna, with the TAFEA Provincial Officer, Mr. Alvan Natuoivi. He is currently located at Isangel, within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) station.
On September 1, 2025, the Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority (VPPA) Officer for TAFEA Province, Mr. Alvan Natuoivi, officially registered a piggery farmer, Mr. Iasitu, under the VPPA product Group for small Livestock.
The Vanuatu Primary Producers Authority (VPPA) Officer for TAFEA, in collaboration with the Agriculture Development Officer for West Tanna, Conducted a farm visit at Loukatai Village, Tanna. During the Visit, The Officer Officially registered this serious Pineapple Farmer in the VPPA Product Group.