Starting a farm can be a huge deal if you do not have any experience whatsoever in farming. Starting small is always advisable and individuals can grow from there into semi-commercial and commercial farming.

Subsistence farming plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of individuals or families as it is first and foremost a source of food security.

This is the case for most urban dwellers as they concentrate on developing backyard gardens to save them a few dollars off their shopping lists every week or just for healthy living.

In a rural setting, there may be more land available so all that is left, is for farmers to draw up a farm plan and visit their nearest agriculture office for further advice before they can run with an approved and sustainable farming program and so forth.

Peni Koroitamana returned to his village of Burelevu in the Saivou District in the province of Ra as he felt that he had enough energy and zeal to farm on a large scale.

“I returned to the village in 2017 and am now reaping the rewards for my commitment and endurance in farming,” he smiled.

Peni started with a bang when he utilised 30 acres of land owned by his Mataqali at Korovou settlement, growing assorted vegetables and root crops.

“The area is an advantage for planting as it is mostly flatland and we have managed to plant all the different types of crops and vegetables namely yams or uvi, ginger, kumala, cassava, watermelon, cucumber, Hawaiian pawpaw, and eggplant,” he said.

“While I cultivate all other crops and vegetables, my main ones are eggplants and Hawaiian pawpaw and from experience, I have found them to be reliable in production,” he said.

“They are both planted once in a planting season but come harvesting season, I am always harvesting on a weekly basis. The plants keep on producing from six to eight months and I even have pawpaw producing for about two years if managed well,” smiled Peni.

“Root crops has a different planting and harvesting method and takes more than 3 months to harvest.”

“These are some tips that I would like to share with everyone who is into farming or are thinking about farming for a living. If you are planting long term crops, please continue but ensure that you also plant short term crops as well so that you are able to earn some income too,” explained Peni.

Peni values team work and community development and has been working with two women, unemployed youths and students who often look for jobs during school breaks.

While he mainly supplies his produce to the Rakiraki Market, he often transports his produce to Suva when the supply is high.

“Eggplant prices fluctuate, varying from $50- $70 per sack, and when the crop is in demand, I can be delivering twice a week, delivering 10 to 12 sacks together with Hawaiian pawpaw and these two crops are supplied weekly in both on and off seasons,” he said.

With sweet harvest comes hardships and it's not always sunny in Burelevu as Peni and other farmers in the region often experience setbacks such as excessive dry spells resulting in dried cracked soil.

“We have irrigation running through our farm but the uncertainty of prolonged dry spells would often result in poor production but this is to be expected and like any other farmer, these are the risks and challenges that are often faced,” he said.

“Sometimes when it’s the rainy season, we have to carry our sacks of produce to the main road due to the bad road conditions.”

“I always remind myself that these are setbacks but we must never give up and continue farming as I believe that without farmers in Fiji, people would not be living healthy lifestyles as everyone needs their daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables,” he smiled.

Like all other farmers, his family has been blessed  with income from farming as it has provided him with a home, educational needs for his children and he also purchased machines and a vehicle for transportation, and a pair of bullocks for ploughing his farm.

“These are assets that we never thought we could obtain but only made possible through farming,” said Peni proudly.

As a thriving farmer, he has planned his future well in advance and is working towards purchasing another piece of land to cultivate more crops and vegetables.

“I have seen the benefits of farming and I am glad I decided to return and develop the passion I have always had and that is farming. My advice to unemployed youths living in our towns and cities that if you have idle land back in the village, I urge you to please make use of it as you will surely reap great rewards,” he said.

“You will always have time for your family, time to rest, no superiors hovering over your whereabouts, and you go wherever you want to go,” he added with a smile.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways is advising members of the public who wish to invest in farming, to visit their nearest agriculture station for more information and advice. 

ENDS

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