Petero Maciu, a young farmer, is making strides in agriculture to secure his livelihood. At just 21 years old, he hails from Nawi, Buca Bay, in Cakaudrove. Petero began his farming journey at a young age, inspired by his father, Sakapo Tui, who encouraged him to utilize the land wisely.
Petero, the second of five siblings, lives with his grandparents in their village. He completed his education up to Year 8 but decided not to continue, recognizing the potential benefits of farming and the wealth of produce it could provide. In 2020, he expressed his desire to further develop his farming skills without relying on anyone else.
He cultivates various crops on his family’s land, including yaqona, taro, ginger, coconut, and different vegetables. This year, he has also been selling his yaqona at the Labasa market. Petero believes the effective use of land can significantly enhance their standard of living.
He sells his yaqona at markets in Savusavu, priced between $70 and $80 per kilogram. In his initial sales, he earned approximately $11,000. The farming area spans about five kilometers, and he is committed to working diligently to improve his situation and counter the challenges of poverty.
At times, he finds it challenging to farm due to harsh weather conditions, but he remains determined. Petero emphasizes the positive outcomes of utilizing land effectively, noting that success in farming relies on persistence.
The income he generates supports his family, contributing to household expenses and enabling them to buy necessary food and beverages. In March of this year, he celebrated his 21st birthday by providing two cows for his community members to enjoy a traditional feast.
Just two weeks prior, he invested in a tractor to ease the farming process and enhance the efficiency of using his crops in the market. His journey serves as an inspiring example for other young individuals in the community, encouraging them to make productive use of their time.
Petero hopes the government will recognize their efforts to uplift themselves and provide assistance to ensure they can continue their agricultural endeavors. He also seeks further support for both agricultural supplies and the necessary tools for farming to improve their crop productivity.
He dreams of building a house on the land he farms and expanding his agricultural operations, which includes acquiring a tractor to assist him in his endeavors. Despite facing challenges such as adverse weather conditions, he remains focused on encouraging younger generations to make effective use of the land in their region.
He highlights the struggles of poverty they experience and the need to manage their land responsibly for sustainable living. “Let us move away from a dependent lifestyle and listen to our elders, while also seeking divine guidance in our ventures,” he stated.