Sigatoka
Encyclopedia
For the banana disease, see Black sigatoka
.
Sigatoka is a town
in Fiji
. It is found on the island of Viti Levu
and is situated at the mouth of the Sigatoka River
, after which it is named, some 69 kilometers from Nadi
. In Fiji's last census (2007) the population of Sigatoka was at 9622. Sigatoka is the principal urban centre for the province of Nadroga-Navosa
.
An ornate temple, open to public, built by Hare Krishna devotees dominates the Sigatoka skyline. Major tourist attractions include the Sigatoka Sand Dunes
near Kulukulu village two kilometers south of Sigatoka, and the Kula Eco Park
, which houses some 500 birds of 100 species from many tropical countries. The town is also the principal centre for Fiji's coastal tourism belt - the Coral Coast - which hosts many of the country's leading hotels and resorts.
, held on 22 October 2005, all 10 seats were won by a coalition
of the United Fiji Party (SDL) and the National Federation Party
(NFP). The new council reelected Ratu Isikeli Tasere as Mayor, a position held for a one-year term, renewable any number of times.
, an even more ravaging plant disease, was subsequently named so for its relatedness.
The Sigatoka Valley is known for its high production of vegetables, and thus referred to as Fiji's "Salad Bowl".
Methodist Primary School is one of the largest primary schools in Sigatoka Town. It has more than one thousand students. There is a ratio of sixty two students per one teacher. Students attend primary school from six years of age.
Health:
Sigatoka Town also has one local hospital and several small medical centres.
The international headquarters of Pacific Green Industries (Fiji) Limited
is located in Sigatoka.
Black sigatoka
Black Sigatoka is a leaf spot disease of banana plants caused by ascomycete fungusMycosphaerella fijiensis . Plants with leaves damaged by the disease may have up to 50% lower yield of fruit...
.
Local government of Fiji
Fiji is divided administratively into four divisions, which are further subdivided into fourteen provinces; the self-governing island of Rotuma and its dependencies lie outside any of the four divisions. Each division is headed by a Commissioner, appointed by the Fijian government...
in Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
. It is found on the island of Viti Levu
Viti Levu
Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...
and is situated at the mouth of the Sigatoka River
Sigatoka River
The Sigatoka River is located in the island of Viti Levu in Fiji and has its source on the western side of Mount Victoria and flows for 120 kilometers to the coast between the central and western ranges. It is the chief means of transportation with some parts of the interior of the island.The...
, after which it is named, some 69 kilometers from Nadi
Nadi
Nadi is the third-largest conurbation in Fiji. It is located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu, and had a population of 42,284 at the most recent census, in 2007. Nadi is multiracial with many of its inhabitants Indian or Fijian, along with a large transient population of foreign...
. In Fiji's last census (2007) the population of Sigatoka was at 9622. Sigatoka is the principal urban centre for the province of Nadroga-Navosa
Nadroga-Navosa
NADROGA NAVOSA is one of the fourteen provinces of Fiji, and one of eight based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island. It is about 2,385 square kilometers and occupies the South-West and Central areas of Viti Levu, Fiji's largest and principal island. The province includes the Mamanuca Archipelago,...
.
An ornate temple, open to public, built by Hare Krishna devotees dominates the Sigatoka skyline. Major tourist attractions include the Sigatoka Sand Dunes
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
The Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park is located at the mouth of the Sigatoka River on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. They are located approximately 3km West of the town of Sigatoka....
near Kulukulu village two kilometers south of Sigatoka, and the Kula Eco Park
Kula Eco Park
Kula Eco Park is an ecological preserve in Fiji. It is located on Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu, near Sigatoka. The area was originally established as a bird park in the 1980s, but was bought by Kula Eco Park Management in January 1997...
, which houses some 500 birds of 100 species from many tropical countries. The town is also the principal centre for Fiji's coastal tourism belt - the Coral Coast - which hosts many of the country's leading hotels and resorts.
Governance
Sigatoka was incorporated as a Town in 1959, and is governed by a 10-member Sigatoka Town Council, elected for a three-year term. At the last municipal electionsFiji municipal election, 2005
Municipal elections were held for 11 of Fiji's twelve city and town councils on 22 October 2005. In the capital city, however, elections for the Suva City Council were postponed till 12 November, owing to the death of two candidates; the death of a candidate in Lautoka also resulted in the...
, held on 22 October 2005, all 10 seats were won by a coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
of the United Fiji Party (SDL) and the National Federation Party
National Federation Party (Fiji)
The National Federation Party is a Fijian political party founded by A.D. Patel in November 1968, as a merger of the Federation Party and the National Democratic Party...
(NFP). The new council reelected Ratu Isikeli Tasere as Mayor, a position held for a one-year term, renewable any number of times.
Agriculture
From 1912 to 1923, banana plantations in the Sigatoka Valley suffered severe episodes of a fungal infection known as the Yellow sigatoka disease. The Black sigatokaBlack sigatoka
Black Sigatoka is a leaf spot disease of banana plants caused by ascomycete fungusMycosphaerella fijiensis . Plants with leaves damaged by the disease may have up to 50% lower yield of fruit...
, an even more ravaging plant disease, was subsequently named so for its relatedness.
The Sigatoka Valley is known for its high production of vegetables, and thus referred to as Fiji's "Salad Bowl".
Education
Sigatoka is also known for many education institutes. It has more than five primary and secondary schools. It has the Sigatoka Methodist Primary School and Sigatoka Methodist Secondary (High) School,Cuvu college,Nadroga-Navosa High School and Andra High School. Majority of the residents in Sigatoka Town would have attended Sigatoka Methodist High School.Methodist Primary School is one of the largest primary schools in Sigatoka Town. It has more than one thousand students. There is a ratio of sixty two students per one teacher. Students attend primary school from six years of age.
Health:
Sigatoka Town also has one local hospital and several small medical centres.
Economy
There are several resorts in sigatoka re: Fiji -an Hotel, outrigger on the lagoon, Warwick hotel, Hideaway hotel, Naviti hotel etcThe international headquarters of Pacific Green Industries (Fiji) Limited
Pacific Green
Pacific Green Industries Limited is a Fijian manufacturer of furniture and architectural products. It is most recognised for its Pacific Green brand furniture and its development of Palmwood, a sustainable substitute for tropical hardwood. Pacific Green is distributed...
is located in Sigatoka.