At a small roadside stall near Nakalawaca Village in Tailevu, Marika Vunibaka of Vione, Gau in Lomaiviti is involved in a heartening family business venture, cultivating guavas one crate at a time. What began as a casual family discussion five years ago about creating a fund for school needs and community obligations has blossomed into an impressive eight-acre guava farm and a successful roadside enterprise.
The journey started when Marika’s family purchased 100 guava seedlings from the agricultural station in Nacocolevu, Nadroga, with the intention of experimenting with a small project. However, as the plants thrived beyond their expectations, they expanded their farming operations to cover eight acres.
Like many new businesses, their path has not been without hurdles. At one point, pests negatively impacted the quality of their harvest and their income. Marika shared, “We didn’t lose hope but continued to work hard; now we are enjoying the quality harvest we had envisioned.”
Initially selling their fruit to supermarkets, the family soon recognized a better opportunity by selling directly to consumers at their roadside stall, which dramatically changed their revenue. “Our guavas can sell for up to $8 each, depending on the size. It may sound expensive, but customers are willing to pay because they know guava is nutritious and good for their health,” Marika noted. He added that some customers buy up to ten at a time due to the fruit’s exceptional flavor, calling their guavas “very juicy and sweet.”
On prosperous days, the family earns between $500 and $600, a considerable increase compared to when they sold to supermarkets. Marika mentioned, “By eliminating middlemen, we can truly benefit from the fruits of our labor.” The family begins their day early with harvesting at dawn, washing, packing, and setting up their stall by 9 a.m. By 5 p.m., they typically sell out of their three to four crates of guavas.
For Marika, this family venture is more than just a source of income; it symbolizes pride and the realization that significant dreams can sprout from humble beginnings. His message to travelers passing through Nakalawaca is inviting: “If you are driving by, stop at our roadside stall and check out our guavas. You won’t regret it.”
In a delightful twist, Marika Vunibaka shares his name with the former Flying Fijian and Crusaders player, further enriching the family’s story as they combine tradition, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit in their thriving guava business.
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