Dharmen Kumar is 50 years old and is showing no signs of slowing down on his farm in Naceva Settlement, Nokonoko District in Nadroga.

With over 35 years of farming experience, the commercial farmer says that nothing beats hard work and dedication.

He has a total of 20 acres of fruits and vegetables which he supplies to the local and export markets.

Mr. Kumar believes that in order to succeed in farming as a business, one must keep excellent records of all sales as well as expenses and adds that this has been his strength since starting his farming venture.

As his farming activities increased, so did his thirst for more agricultural knowledge. He often visited the Sigatoka Agriculture Station for advice and constant monitoring of his farm.

Through several workshops and trainings that he attended, Mr. Kumar felt that more could be achieved if he got the basics right and there has been no turning back for the hardworking farmer.

He was also assisted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways through the provision of a cooler which enables him to keep his fruits and vegetables fresh before it is sent to the New Zealand market outlets.

Mr. Kumar is a true testament to the power of perseverance and continuous learning in agriculture.

His commitment to hard work and his ability to adapt over time have clearly paid off, especially with his ability to maintain strong records of his sales and expenses.

Mr. Kumar believes that even when you have decades of experience, there’s always room to grow and improve—something especially crucial in a field like farming, where market demands and conditions can shift.

Through income earned from farming, Mr. Kumar has been able to purchase more farm machinery. He is also assisting other farmers in the vicinity through advice and market opportunities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways is encouraging youth groups around the country to visit their nearest agriculture station for more information and advice on how to start farming as a business.

ENDS

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