Petero Maciu, a 21-year-old from Nawi village in Cakaudrove, is encouraging young people to utilize empty land in their villages for sustainable living. Mr. Maciu began farming at an early age and has been successful in cultivating over five acres of clan land with yaqona, root crops, and vegetables.
He expressed gratitude to his father, Sakapo Tui, for motivating him to engage in agriculture. “My father always encouraged me to make use of the land to have a better living,” he stated. Mr. Maciu believes that returning to the practices of their ancestors—working the land and reaping its rewards—holds the key to self-sufficiency rather than depending on external food sources.
Despite having discontinued his education after Class Eight, Mr. Maciu does not regret his decision. “I don’t want to go back to school because what I get from the land is more than what I would have received from continuing my education,” he remarked. His commitment to farming has been fruitful, with his first yaqona harvest in 2023 netting him over $11,000. He sells his produce, including yaqona, cassava, dalo, and bananas, at the Labasa Market, where yaqona fetches between $70 and $80 per kilogram.
Mr. Maciu stressed that success comes from hard work and sacrifice, sharing that he often walks five kilometers to his farm and sometimes sleeps there to save time. “Despite the distance, I never gave up. I believe that if all Fijians, especially iTaukei, utilize their land, it could address many issues in Fiji, such as poverty,” he explained.
His earnings have enabled him to support his family, invest in farming equipment, and even celebrate his birthday. “I turned 21 in March, and to surprise my family, I bought two cows and invited the villagers to celebrate my birthday,” he shared.
Recently, Mr. Maciu also bought a twin cab for transporting his crops to the market. His future ambitions include building his own house, acquiring land in town, and purchasing a tractor to aid in his farming efforts.
He advised young people: “If you have nothing to do, make use of your time and plant the land. You will reap the rewards in due season. We have to honor God daily, who is the source of strength in our life.”