Petero Maciu, a 21-year-old farmer from Nawi in Buca Bay, Cakaudrove, has been utilizing his land to improve his living conditions. The encouragement from his father, Sakapo Tui, has greatly influenced him to make the most out of the land.
Petero, the second of five siblings, lives with his extended family in the village. He completed his education up to class eight but chose not to continue, recognizing the benefits of land cultivation for both income and knowledge.
In 2020, he decided to focus on cultivating his crops and not rely on anyone else. He farms land belonging to the Koronicivaciva clan, where he grows a variety of crops such as yaqona, dalo, ginger, coconut, vegetables, and more.
This year, he has again spoken of his yaqona harvest, which he sells at the market in Labasa. He emphasizes the advantages of land cultivation in attaining success. His yaqona is sold in Savusavu for between $70 to $80 per kilogram, and from his early sales, he has already earned approximately $11,000.
The farm is about five kilometers from his home, and he tends to it diligently every day. Despite the challenges, Petero continually strives to better his situation and support his family. There are times when he even forages in the jungle for additional resources.
According to him, effective land use has greatly benefited his livelihood. He acknowledges that effort is required in all endeavors. The success he has achieved has significantly helped his family, allowing them to invest in necessities and some luxury items like drinks and personal care products.
In March of this year, just before his 21st birthday, he prepared a feast with two bulls to share with the community members in celebration of his birthday.
Recently, he also sold a portion of his produce to enhance the marketability of his crops and foods from his farm. Petero stands out as an exemplary model for young people in the village, inspiring them to use their time productively for beneficial endeavors.
He hopes that the government will notice his fellow villagers who wish to advance their livelihoods and gain more access to essential resources for starting their own projects.
Currently, Petero is seeking support through agricultural tools and food supplies. He also wishes to improve the road leading to his farm to facilitate transport and usage of the crops as fresh produce.
His dream is to build a home, acquire land to expand further, and invest in a tractor for assistance on his farm.
Despite facing challenges such as bad weather conditions that hinder his work, Petero encourages other youth to maximize land use since plenty of land is available for cultivation.
He believes that today’s struggles have instilled in them the lessons needed to reclaim their heritage and utilize the land effectively.
“Let us move away from a life of dependency and listen carefully to our ancestors, always recognizing the divine guidance we receive at all times.”