Two years ago Ronal Singh of Cuvu in Nadroga left his job as a butcher in a supermarket to grow tobacco leaves and now he has won a Star Farmers Award for the Sigatoka Sector from the British American Tobacco company.
Singh says he harvested about 40 tonnes of leaves and received more than $25,000 for it.
Singh says he grows tobacco on 2.5 acres of land and he is assisted by his family.
He adds winning the award means a lot to him and he aims to be on the podium again next year.
While speaking at the awards, Minister for Commerce and Trade, Faiyaz Koya says he was proud to hear that 115 farmers – and not just men – but women farmers too are being awarded.
Koya says he commends the British American Tobacco Fiji for supporting our farmers for 67 years.
The Minister adds in the past two years, they have seen significant growth in the export of kava, ginger and turmeric amongst other spices.
Koya says besides our traditional crops, these are the potential crops that the farmers all could venture into, during the off-season.
