Before dawn breaks over the highlands of Namosi, Paula Tawaketini is already hard at work on his farm in Navunibau. The crisp morning air reflects the steady rhythm of village life as he tends to his crops, drawing strength from the land he has nurtured over the years.
At 55, Paula remains fit and full of vigor, a testament to a lifetime of dedicated farm work. Like many farmers in the area, he begins his day early, aiming to complete the most strenuous tasks before the heat of the sun sets in.
Paula’s journey back to the village, however, was not without its challenges. Years ago, he ventured to Suva in hopes of finding a better livelihood as a security officer. Yet, city life presented unforeseen difficulties; he worked tirelessly but saw little reward. “While working in Suva, I realized that I was not earning as much as I would farming in the village,” he explained. Observing that his fellow villagers earned more through yaqona farming, he decided to return home.
In the village, Paula found a lifestyle free from the financial burdens common in the city, such as rent and utility bills. “You can grow your own food, have a home, get free water, and live without electricity,” he shared, highlighting the self-sufficiency that rural life offers.
When a reporter visited, Paula was enjoying a well-deserved break after a successful yaqona harvest. A sack filled with freshly dug roots lay by the roadside, and Paula proudly mentioned they had harvested $800 worth that day, a significant sum compared to his previous city earnings where an eight-hour workday rarely yielded more than $100 a week.
The landscape of yaqona farming has changed dramatically for Paula and his peers. “We no longer have to travel to the Navua market to sell our yaqona. Buyers are coming directly to Namosi now,” he noted, emphasizing the newfound convenience and profitability of their trade.
Even as he awaited the pick-up, Paula remained busy. He cleared his farm, fully aware that with each buyer, he could earn cash immediately, enhancing his family’s financial situation and allowing him to fulfill village obligations with pride and independence. His thriving farm boasts over 500 yaqona plants along with a dalo plot, ensuring that he has a sustainable income throughout the year.
Looking ahead, Paula expressed ambitions to further expand his farming venture. “I hope to grow my farm bigger after clearing more space,” he remarked, highlighting his plans for future prosperity.
For Paula Tawaketini, farming symbolizes freedom and a fulfilling way of life. Rooted in the traditions of his ancestors, he serves as a testament that true prosperity does not always reside in urban settings. He passionately encourages fellow Fijians, especially the youth, to return to their roots, reconnect with the land, and consider farming—particularly yaqona—as a viable pathway to self-sufficiency and a brighter future. Through his journey, Paula stands as an inspiring figure, embodying the potential and rewards of agricultural life in Fiji.
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