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Island Agriculture Adventures: A Glimpse into Serving Remote Communities

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Serving the remote islands of Moala, Totoya, and Matuku in the Lau Group has instilled perseverance in Kitione Kapirieli. The 29-year-old from Namuka-i-Lau, situated within the same archipelago, is an agriculture assistant based in Naroi, Moala Island. Over the past six years, he has dedicated his efforts to serving these three islands.

When Kapirieli was assigned to Lau in 2018, he had to adapt to his new role, which included traveling by fiber-glass boat to visit farmers and ensure they received frequent assistance and monitoring. As an agriculture assistant, he is tasked with helping local communities produce their primary commodities such as dried copra, yaqona, dalo, cassava, voivoi mats, and seafood delicacies. Additionally, he works to establish a market in Suva through inter-island vessels that service this maritime region.

Kapirieli faces numerous challenges, but he remains committed to his mission. “Whenever I am faced with challenges, I tell myself that this is what the government has called me to do, to serve the farmers of the three islands and I should do my work with diligence,” he said. Through his dedication and hard work, he has learned and excelled, believing that any staff member with passion and willpower can serve in rural and maritime regions.

Accustomed to settling in new places, Kapirieli attended multiple schools growing up and strived to reach his current position. Armed with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Fiji, he first gained hands-on experience as a casual laborer in the agronomy section of the Koronivia Research Station. Raised by his mother, Kapirieli learned the value of hard work on the land, which fueled his interest in agriculture, leading him to pursue the subject from high school through university.

“The beauty of serving in Yasayasa Moala is the friendly people, the fertile land, and the variety of crops that can withstand some of the harshest conditions on the island,” he said. Using the ministry’s fiber-glass boat, Kapirieli travels monthly to Matuku and Totoya, often staying for days to visit more farmers and monitor their farms.

“I work with farmers, and I count myself lucky every day. It has been a great honor serving here in Yasayasa Moala, and I am proud to share my knowledge and expertise so that they can provide three meals a day for their families,” he added.

Kapirieli emphasized that civil servants must prioritize the people they serve. “We work for the people, and it’s a huge sacrifice, but one that I will cherish forever. In my profession, I help instill the best agricultural practices to ensure families on the three islands are well-nourished and self-sufficient.”

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