Teouma Gardens
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Teouma Gardens is a commercial garden producing fruit and vegetables for the local market and export.
It is situated 10 kms from Port Vila Post Office, on the main highway around the island of Efate .
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
The property is 31 hectares of Class A Agricultural on Title No. 12/0923/284 with a 50 year lease .
This lease has an easement in its favour against the adjacent lease Title No. 12/0923/005 for the purposes of pumping water from the Teouma River .
The adjoining house block of one hectare is on Title No. 12/0923/282 Has a 50 year lease.
AGRICULTURAL LAND DESCRIPTION
The total area comprises 31 hectares on a plateau above the Teouma River valley on the west side (i.e.Vila side).
Access is by a right-of-way from the main road, opposite the road to Eratap.
The soil is of volcanic origin overlayering up-thrust coral, which emerges to the surface in some areas.
There are four levels, the lowest being 30 metres above river level and the highest, 75 metres.
Some of the sloping areas between the levels cannot be cultivated due to the coral, however there are large areas which have good depths of soil.
Because of the height above the river, there is only ever temporary, superficial flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Also as the slopes are not steep there is minimal erosion.
Currently some 15 hectares are being used, the remainder being covered in secondary growth following logging operations many years ago (30).
BUILDINGS
- STORAGE. Two shipping containers serve as storage for equipment, tools, chemicals, fertilizers and packaging materials.
- SEED HOUSE. This is a timber-framed structure covered in uv-tolerant plastic roof which can be removed quickly if a cyclone is imminent.
- RACK HOUSE. This comprises wire storage racks with a corrugated roof and open sides.
- PACKING SHED. A corrugated iron roof supported by posts and covering two work benches, used for sorting and packing.
RESIDENCE LAND
The residence property is located approx. 5 km from Port Vila on the main road around the island in the Eratap area and comprises a residence located on 1 hectare of land.
Legal Description : Leasehold Title No. 12/0923/282 with a 50 year lease.
Area: This lot has a main road frontage of 70 metres and extends back 140 metres. A right-of-way extends the full length on the Vila side to give access to the title behind.
HOUSE
This is of concrete block construction and has three bedrooms. The master has an ensuite bathroom.
The bathrooms have showers, toilets and handbasins.
There is a separate laundry off the carport.
The kitchen is fitted with a modern unit and is open-plan to the dining room and lounge. A small office is adjacent to the lounge.
A verandah runs the length of one side and a carport on the other. Off one end of the verandah is a 13-metre, above-ground swimming pool .
Electricity is provided by a 3 kva generator and there is a separate 12 volt system powering some lights and a fan. Hot water and cooking is from cylinders of LPG.
Water is supplied from a 25,000 litre holding tank in the middle of the adjacent farm and is filled from the river
A microwave system to the main transmission tower provides high quality telephone and internet services.
IRRIGATION
There is a Lister-driven pump located on the bank of the river, pumping through three lines to the garden level where the pipes can be switched to the different levels. On the third level there is a storage tank which feeds water to the house. A smaller pump draws from this tank to irrigate the third level.
The main system applies water through sprinklers on risers located on 75mm. aluminium pipes.
MACHINERY
- MF165 tractor is used for rotary hoeing all areas.
- Howard rotary hoe, 7 disc.
- Husquvarna chain saw
- Husquvarna brush cutter
- Maruyama motorized knapsack ( used for pesticides)
- Cooper Pegler knapsacks (used for herbicdes)
- Earthways seeder
- Toyota Hiace delivery van
STAFF
All staff are ni-Vanuatu, mostly from the island of Ambrym . There are normally 10 full-time, with the occasional part-timer.
The longest serving has worked on the property since 1982.
HOURS OF WORK
The standard work week of 44 hours is used. To achieve this without working on Saturdays, 9 hours are done Monday to Thursday, with 8 on Friday.
Work commences at 6.00am and finishes at 5.00pm with a 2 hour break for lunch from 11am . till 1pm .
Extra time is worked as necessary in weekends for irrigation or harvesting.
Some flexibility is also applied to allow for visits to town or for sports practices.
CROPS
The largest crop is pineapples of which there are about 3 hectares. These are induced throughout the year to provide a continuity of supply.
During the hot season (Jan-May) only sweet corn, cucumber, chinese cabbage (pak choi) and eggplant can be grown.
In the cooler weather most other crops can be grown. These can include:
- Beans (dwarf)
- Carrots
- Cabbage (English)
- Broccoli
- Silver beet
- Leeks
- Tomatoes
- Capsicum
- Spring Onions
- Parsley
- Cauliflower
- Watermelon
- Rock Melon
- Butternuts
- Pumpkin
- Pawpaw
- Bananas
- Passionfruit
- Chillies
Routine planting is carried out to provide continuity of supply.
OUTLETS
All major hotels are supplied as well as restaurants, supermarkets and schools.
Distribution is direct by van. Chinese cabbage is harvested and delivered daily while all others are delivered on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Payment is against statement at the end of the following month.
FORESTRY
The areas that are not suitable for cultivation, are suitable for the growing of timber trees . Small areas of Whitewood, Mahogany and Accacia have been planted and are being expanded as the availability of seedlings permits.
Contracts are also held for the planting and maintenance of nearby blocks for absentee landowners.
DEVELOPMENT
The local market is not large and is easily over-supplied. While there is scope for greater quantities of selected crops, the potential is not as great as for export and processing.
Vanuatu has approval to send pineapples, beans, sweetcorn, cucumbers, ginger, taro and manioc to New Zealand . Frozen taro and manioc can be sent to Australia .
While there are some logistical and marketing limitations, these are not insurmountable.
The installation of a High Temperature Forced Air (HTFA) unit has opened the way for fruit-fly susceptible crops such as eggplant, pawpaw, capsicum and fresh chillies to be exported.
With regards to processing, the conversion of surplus produce has never been done in Vanuatu but is an obvious way of expanding the industry.
Also the production of specialty products using local crops is another potential area for expansion. E.g. jams, pickles, spreads.
Some subdivision is also feasible. The cliff top overlooking the valley has potential for 20 x 1 hectare blocks.
Total Package price: 59,000,000 Vatu (approx $736,000 AUD).
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