The loycane basket waver Jackson Olia standing with his products at the Auki market

A local loya cane basket weaver in Auki is one of the most successful market vendors in the township, turning his marketing skills towards building a four bedroom building back at his home.

Jackson Olia caught up with this paper at the Auki main market yesterday.

He said he has been marketing these loya cane baskets as a daily job for quite a while now, especially for income purposes aimed at supporting his daily needs.

He said it helps a lot, “after selling my products I know I have money to support me.

Olia added that currently he is building a new home with the money received from selling the products.

“It also helps for meeting school fees when my children are at high school.

“I sometimes find it hard to market my products and it all depend on customers who come in and buy my products at the market.

He said when he started weaving basket products, I weaved them in the same pattern, but now he has gained more experience as a basket weaver.

“I do all different kind of patterns so that it may gain attraction to all my customers.

“And at the moment the natural plant loya cane is a little bit harder to find in our jungles.

“We have buy loya cane from some people in other places to continue with producing out locally weaved baskets for our daily income,” Olia said.