Unless there is a substitute for Marijuana plants, the marijuana trade in Kadavu can never be eradicated.
Chairman of the Kadavu Provincial Council and Tui Tawava Ratu Malakai Masi made similar statements in Namalata Village, Kadavu over the weekend.
He said unless there was a plant that had the same financial returns as marijuana, farmers would not stop planting it.
Marijuana plants are harvested within four to five months of planting and rakes in around $100,000 to $250,000 per harvest.
“If not then it’s difficult to leave it because they have been doing it for a long time,” Tui Tawava said.
“It’s difficult to eradicate marijuana because it’s like Yasi (Sandalwood). When you uproot one, 10 more plants will grow in its place because of the seeds that fall from it.
“There are ongoing uprooting operations but unless they uproot and pick up the seeds too then it is a very impossible task.”
He said since Police Drug Operations began more than a year ago, the people of Kadavu have started to feel the impact.
“It is their main source of income. Business operators have noticed a decrease in sales at the supermarkets and shops, teachers have noticed that students’ lunches have changed, lots of things have changed.”
The Kadavu Provincial Council signed a directive a few years ago prohibiting the planting of marijuana.
The council continues to work with Police and the communities in the war against marijuana.
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