Petero Maciu, a 21-year-old farmer from Nawi in Buca Bay, Cakaudrove, shares his journey of utilizing land to improve his livelihood. He began farming at a young age, encouraged by his father Sakapo Tui, who emphasized the importance of effective land usage.
Currently, Petero lives with five family members in his village and has completed only eight years of schooling, deciding to discontinue his education upon realizing the benefits of farming and the potential for significant returns. In 2020, he planned to focus on farming, opting not to pursue further education.
Petero cultivates land passed down from the Koronicivaciva clan, growing crops such as yaqona, dalo, jaina, niu, and various vegetables. This year, he focused on selling his yaqona at the Labasa market, which has proven successful. He reported that the quality of land has been instrumental in his farming achievements.
He sells his yaqona in Savusavu, where prices range from $70 to $80 per kilogram. From his initial sales, Petero has earned approximately $11,000. He engages in farming daily, managing around five kilometers of land, striving to enhance his living conditions and escape poverty.
At times, he ventures into the bush to gather food, and he believes that proper land utilization has significantly improved his quality of life. His hard work has provided considerable support for his family, allowing them to invest in essential goods and other necessities.
In March of this year, as he turned 21, Petero organized a celebration for local villagers to enjoy his yaqona. Over the past two weeks, he sold some of his produce to ease the demand for his yaqona and food at the market.
Petero’s story serves as an inspiration for the youth in his community, encouraging them to utilize their time productively by undertaking meaningful endeavors like farming. He hopes the government will support young farmers in establishing their plots and improving their standards of living.
Currently, Petero seeks assistance with farming equipment and resources to increase productivity. He aims to enhance the roads connecting to the markets and improve the utilization of his land, while also aspiring to acquire a tractor to aid in his farming efforts.
Encountering challenges such as harsh weather conditions, Petero continues to push for better land management to benefit both himself and his community, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. He believes that overcoming poverty requires conscious efforts to cultivate land effectively.
“Let’s move away from a life of dependency and heed the wisdom of our elders and divine guidance for continuous progress,” he stated.