Serving the far-flung islands of Moala, Totoya, and Matuku in the Lau Group has taught Kitione Kapirieli the value of perseverance.
The 29-year-old, hailing from Namuka-i-Lau within the same archipelago, works as an agriculture assistant based in Naroi, on Moala Island. He has been serving three islands in the province for six years.
Since being posted to Lau in 2018, Kapirieli had to quickly adapt to his role, which includes traveling by fibre-glass boat to visit farmers and ensure they receive the necessary assistance and monitoring.
As an agriculture assistant, his responsibilities encompass ensuring that local communities effectively produce their key commodities such as dried copra, yaqona, dalo, cassava, voivoi mats, and seafood delicacies. He also helps facilitate the marketing of these products in Suva through inter-island vessels serving the maritime islands.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Kapirieli remains committed to his mission. “Whenever I encounter difficulties, I remind myself that this is my calling from the government—to serve the farmers of these three islands and to do my work diligently,” Kapirieli said.
“I managed, I learned from my professional and personal experiences over the years, and I excelled. If I can do that, so can any staff member, provided they have the passion and will to serve in rural and maritime regions.”
Kapirieli is no stranger to adapting to new environments, having switched schools multiple times during his upbringing and working hard to reach his current position. Holding a bachelor of science degree in agriculture from Fiji, he gained his initial hands-on training at the Koronivia Research Station’s agronomy section as a casual laborer.
Raised by his mother, Kapirieli learned the value of hard work and developed a keen interest in agriculture, which he pursued from high school through to university.
“The beauty of serving in Yasayasa Moala is the friendly people, fertile land, and the variety of crops that can withstand some of the harshest conditions on the island,” he said.
“Transport to the outer islands is via the ministry’s fibre-glass boat, which I use to travel to Matuku and Totoya on a monthly basis. I often stay overnight for days if I feel more farmers need to be visited and their farms monitored.”
Kapirieli treasures his work with the farmers, expressing daily gratitude for the opportunity to serve in Yasayasa Moala and share his knowledge, which helps families provide three meals a day.
He emphasized that civil servants must prioritize the people they serve. “We work for the people, and it’s a tremendous sacrifice, but one that I will cherish forever. In my profession, I help to instill the best agricultural practices to ensure the families on these three islands are well-nourished and self-supportive.”