Nestled in the heart of Lakeba, the Nasaqalau Cooperative is now a shining example of a success story in rural enterprise revival, thanks to youthful leadership, visionary elders, and renewed support from Government. Dormant for two years during its existence, the cooperative has been brought back to life and is now flourishing, a model of resilience and collective drive.
During a recent visit to the village, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, MSMEs, and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, praised the cooperative’s transformation and the commitment of its young members.
“What’s most inspiring is that a majority of the committee and members are youths. Their energy and focus are clearly paying off,” said DPM Kamikamica. “This is exactly what we aim to encourage, rural-based economic activities through cooperative enterprise.”
Established on the 29th of April 1966 and with 61 registered members, Nasaqalau is one of many cooperatives now active across Fiji. Many of these have been revived under the Coalition Government’s renewed focus on strengthening the cooperative sector.
Nasaqalau Cooperative Chairman, Mr. Mitieli Niupani, reflected on the journey. He shared that their cooperative, originally part of the larger Lakeba cooperative movement from the mid-1960s prided itself on the ventures they commit to, supported by abundant resources and strong markets.
However as with many Cooperatives Fiji wide, financial weaknesses started to appear and discrepancies were found in their financials, and this brought the cooperative to its knees.
“We had some issues with our financial record in the early 2020s, and this came to light light when our accounts were audited. This however was rectified and in 2023 and with a new management resumed our cooperative business.”
“Our biggest challenge was maintaining access to markets, especially with unreliable shipping services,” Mr. Niupani said. “But today, with regular shipping links to Suva and improved logistics, we are back, stronger and more consistent in meeting our supply demands.”
Key to their resurgence was the leadership of youths and a renewed partnership with the Department of Cooperative Business. With Government guidance and training, the cooperative restocked its store and diversified its activities.
According to Cooperative Officer (Eastern) Vasemaca Delai, the cooperative’s results speak volumes.
“They’ve invested $220,000 with the Fijian Holdings Unit Trust and recorded sales over $179,000 from retail operations, and copra trading as reflected in their 2024 audited account,” said Ms. Delai. “They’re awaiting the installation of a solar freezer, their one third contribution fully funded through Unit Trust, and have also acquired a 3-ton truck to support their expanding operations.”
Now the only coconut buyer on Lakeba, Nasaqalau Cooperative, has also carved out niche markets, supplying seashells for shirt button production to a Suva based outfit, and lobsters to the Western Division, with plans to begin exporting. Building on these ventures, the cooperative has expanded to the lucrative fuel business, now servicing villages along the northern coast of Lakeba Island.
While commending the Lakeba based cooperative, DPM Kamikamica highlighted that cooperatives are a perfect fit for Fiji’s communal culture.
“The values of democracy, equity, and solidarity that define cooperatives mirror our own traditional concept of solesolevaki, where community and collective wellbeing are central.”
He further highlighted that the Department is conducting an average of 60 cooperative awareness sessions and registering around 15 new cooperatives monthly, double the previous year’s figures. Of note is the rise in youth- and women-led cooperatives.
With 2025 has been declared the Year of Cooperatives, under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” the Ministry is intensifying efforts to promote the inclusion of cooperatives in tourism and export sector value chains, while exploring incentives such as tax breaks to support their growth.
“There is no reason we cannot replicate models such as Fonterra in New Zealand, Dairy Farmers in Australia or Amul in India, right here in Fiji,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
The Department of Cooperative Business remains committed to developing policy, strategy, and training to ensure cooperatives thrive as pillars of rural and maritime economies.