A mixed crop farmer from Bua and a beef cattle farmer from Naitasiri were crowned the winners of the 1983 National Farmer of the Year Competition in Fiji. Sunia Wasei, hailing from Nagadoa in Vuya, Bua, received the Best Crop Farmer of the Year award, while Kiniviliame Ratila from Serea in Naitasiri was recognized as the Best Livestock Farmer of the Year. This recognition was reported by The Fiji Times on January 6, 1984.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, which sponsored the competition, also awarded Deo Sharma of Naceva Valley Rd in Sigatoka as the Bank of New Zealand Young Farmer of the Year for 1983. The winners were set to receive their prizes later that month.
Sunia Wasei, at 53 years old, marked a significant achievement as the second farmer from the Northern Division to win the Crop Farmer of the Year award—following Solomone Regu who won it in 1981 when the competition was inaugurated. Wasei has dedicated over 22 years to farming, operating a 10-hectare block of mataqali land without any financial assistance throughout his journey. On this land, he cultivates coconuts, cocoa, root crops, and has around 10,000 mature pine trees, working alongside his wife and 26-year-old son.
On the other hand, 62-year-old Kiniviliame Ratila has been successfully farming beef cattle for the past decade. He initially acquired a loan from the Fiji Development Bank, which he has since fully repaid, and has received support from his family throughout his farming endeavors.
The Ministry’s efforts in organizing these competitions reflect a broader initiative to engage farmers at both divisional and national levels. As preparations for the second national rice week also gather pace—an event initiated following then Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara’s visit to South Korea—the focus is on enhancing awareness about rice production among farmers and the public. The goal is to boost local rice production, thereby reducing imports and fostering self-sufficiency in Fiji.
In an optimistic note, such community-driven initiatives are crucial for bolstering agricultural development and can provide a solid foundation for food security and economic growth in Fiji. The recognition of farmers through competitions also serves to inspire future generations to pursue agriculture as a viable profession.
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