A young farmer from Ba is proving that even a small piece of land can provide a steady income and help families cope with the rising cost of living.
29-year-old Meli Taivei of Nakavika Settlement has been farming vegetables since 2018, and has turned less than an acre of land into a successful farming business.
Taivei says while many families are facing financial challenges due to rising costs, farming has helped him support his wife, two young sons and his parents.
He grows a range of crops including long beans, bongo chillies, tomatoes, okra, kumala and watermelons.
He sells his produce at the Sigatoka Market every Tuesdays and Saturdays and spends the rest of the week working on his farm.
Taivei says careful planning and making the most of the land available to him have been key to his success.
He recently earned more than $2,000 from selling watermelons through family connections at the Nadi Market.He says crop rotation has also helped him increase production and earn more from his small farm.
Last year, he harvested okra for six months and earned around $1,500, while a kumala crop produced nine bags in just three months, earning him about $900.
Despite suffering losses when Cyclone Vaianu damaged his crops, Taivei says he remained determined to rebuild and continue farming.
He credits his faith, discipline and commitment to hard work for helping him overcome challenges.
Looking ahead, he hopes to expand his operation and purchase a rotovator to improve productivity.
He is encouraging young people to make use of whatever land they have available.
Taivei says farming can provide a good income and believes there are still many opportunities in agriculture for those willing to work hard.
