At just 21 years old, Petero Maciu, a young farmer from Nawi, Buca Bay in Cakaudrove, is making strides by utilizing his land to improve his livelihood. Petero began farming at a young age, encouraged by his father, Sakapo Tui, to appreciate the benefits of land cultivation.
Coming from a family of five, Petero is the second child and lives alongside his parents in their village. He completed his education up to the eighth grade but decided not to continue after witnessing the fruitful outcomes of using the land for farming, which he believes can provide more than just an academic education.
In 2020, he envisioned starting his own farm and committed not to depend on anyone else. He tends to his family’s land, where he grows crops such as yaqona, taro, cassava, and other produce. This year, he has continued to harvest and sell his yaqona at the Labasa market, where he captures the market’s advantages.
He highlighted the importance of effective land use in enhancing one’s quality of life. Petero sells his yaqona in Savusavu, with prices ranging between $70 to $80 per kilogram. His initial sales brought in around $11,000.
Petero dedicates around five kilometers to farm each day, continually striving to improve his agricultural practices to achieve better results for himself and alleviate poverty in his life. He faces challenges like struggling with access to desired resources, but he remains determined.
He believes that efficient land use could quickly improve his living standards. His work not only supports his family financially but also helps provide essentials, such as food supplies and other needs.
In July, as he turned 21, he prepared two cattle and invited residents to join in celebrating his milestone. Within the past two weeks, he sold a portion of his harvest to facilitate the use of his yaqona and food in the local market.
Petero serves as a valuable role model for the youth in his community, demonstrating the importance of making productive use of their time to cultivate meaningful and rewarding agricultural endeavors.
He hopes the government recognizes the efforts of young farmers aspiring to develop their skills and to create opportunities to manage resources effectively. Currently, Petero seeks additional assistance with farming tools and high-quality crops. He also aims to improve the pathways for better access to transportation, as he often must carry goods from his farming output to the markets.
His dream is to build a home and invest in his community while acquiring a tractor to assist in his farming operations, despite facing challenges due to adverse weather.
Petero encourages his fellow youths to strive for success, noting the wealth of arable land in their region that deserves proper management.
He remarked on the difficult conditions currently facing subsistence farming, emphasizing the need to overcome challenges and wisely utilize the land. “Let go of the burdens of the past, and instead, we should listen to our elders, giving thanks to God for guiding us through all seasons.”