Anare Saruicava reminisces about his childhood spent at the Suva market in the 1970s, watching his father sell root crops. Now in his late 60s and a retired member of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, he credits these early experiences with igniting his passion for farming, a pursuit he maintained even while serving in the military.
Saruicava reflects, “My family has engaged in farming for about 54 to 70 years, starting when my father cultivated root crops. We were among the first iTaukei families to sell yaqona at the old Suva market back in 1970. I would accompany my father, who sold coconuts, while I was still a student.”
He observes the changes in transport to the city, noting, “Now, the boats are larger and arrive daily, making it easier for us to shop and return home.”
Currently, Saruicava operates a farm in Namacu village on Koro Island, where he cultivates kava, dalo, and other root crops. After dedicating 35 years to the RFMF, which included tours in Lebanon, Sinai, and Syria, he returned to his village upon retirement at the age of 65.
Saruicava shares that his first dalo harvest netted him approximately three tons, earning around $7,000. Today, he harvests dalo weekly for transportation to Suva and plans to shift his focus to yaqona next. He notes that yaqona is selling for about $90 per kilo, while purchasing directly from Koro can lower the price to around $50.
He emphasizes the complexities of commercial farming, stating, “Farming requires investment, and it’s beneficial to partner with someone for planting. It can be difficult to cultivate just one or two acres alone. Collaboration within the village is essential for achieving better yields.”
Saruicava indicates that they typically plant in hilly areas before transporting the crops to the village and then to the port. It takes him about 45 minutes to travel from his village to his farm, and he points out that the poor condition of farm access roads in Koro remains a significant barrier for many farmers.
“The main issue we face in Koro is the dilapidated state of our farm roads. Improving them could allow us to increase crop production,” he explains. While some farmers appreciate the rainy weather for planting, others are less enthusiastic. He adds, “COVID-19 also posed challenges, but we continued to cultivate our crops and remained hopeful.”
Saruicava encourages the public to take steps towards self-sustainability through farming. “Even starting small-scale is valuable. Farmers often face stigma, but farming can provide a steady income. I have been able to support my family, and we must remain thankful for what we have.”