42-year-old Rafaele Vuniwai of Bouma Village in Taveuni is grateful that he ventured into seedlings propagation to support the Government's tree planting programme.
This is after the Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Kalaveti Ravu handed over the earnings of raising tree seedlings to him during his visit to Bouma.
Vuniwai resigned from his work as a Technical Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture four months ago and ventured into seedlings propagation.
He says he started his business by using chicken packing as polythene bags, and now he has 6,000 seedlings in his nursery.
The father of 11 says he has big plans for his family and his nursery, and he is positive that this venture would provide for their needs and wants.
Ravu commended Vuniwai for his commitment to raising native trees and hardwood seedlings not only as an income earner but the impact it has on the environment.
The Minister did the same handover to the Nayarabale youth from Vaturova, Cakaudrove.
