Rema Shah or now widely known as Bobby Shah's journey from the boxing ring to the farm is a testament to his dedication and hard work.

Living in Droca Settlement, Bua in the Northern Division, the 59-year-old remains passionate about farming, a passion ignited during his childhood.

After leaving school, Bobby embraced farming fully, but not before making a name for himself as an avid boxer at the age of 18. With 46 professional fights under his belt and a title as a former Fiji bantamweight champion, he balances both pursuits with the discipline instilled in him by his parents, who taught him that success comes from hard work.

Bobby's philosophy on hard work extends to his farming practices. He recalls the countless hours spent tending to his crops and livestock, all while training for boxing matches. He recognized early on that boxing would not be his lifelong career, and thus committed to making his farm a successful venture as well.

His latest achievement is a remarkable harvest of over five tonnes of watermelon, which he sold at $3 per kilogram to a buyer in Lautoka. Bobby has consistently supplied his melons to this market, and he takes pride in the improvement of his harvests each year. In addition to watermelons, his farm is home to ducks, chickens, cattle, goats, and sheep, showcasing his dedication to diverse farming.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Bobby's farming journey is the ability to ensure food security for his family. He emphasizes the importance of growing his own food, enabling him to provide hearty meals for his family three times a day.

Through his hard work and commitment, Bobby Shah not only cultivates crops but also nurtures a lifestyle filled with sustainability and security for his loved ones.

He hopes that youths in the country will turn their idle land to semi-commercial and commercial farming.

“I encourage the youths of Fiji, please do something useful with your lives. If you do not have proper employment, please try out farming and you will reap the rewards in years to come. Remember to be patient as good things come to people who work hard and are persistent in life,” advised Bobby.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways is encouraging youths to seek more information and advice at their nearest agriculture station should they wish to pursue farming as a business.

ENDS

• ← Go to all Features