In Sabeto, Nadi, 57-year-old farmer Saleshni Devi is making waves in the agricultural sector by innovatively transforming kumala (sweet potatoes) into a wide array of products. With 37 years of experience nurturing a diverse six-acre farm alongside her husband, Saleshni is not just growing vegetables but actively seeking to create new business opportunities while bolstering local agriculture.
Inspired by a friend’s suggestion to experiment with kumala fries, she began to recognize the significant potential of kumala in Fiji, where imported potatoes are still prevalent despite local availability. “It has so many health benefits, yet we are importing potatoes while kumala is grown locally but underutilized,” she remarked.
To refine her ideas, Saleshni enrolled in the Fiji Enterprise Engine Accelerator Program, where she researched how kumala can replace imported potatoes in various dishes. Through recipe experimentation, she successfully developed products such as kumala fries, wedges, hash browns, nuggets, and samosas, all of which garnered enthusiastic feedback.
“Whatever can be made from potatoes, I found I could also make from kumala. People can’t even tell the difference in taste, and my products are delicious,” she shared, highlighting the versatility of kumala. However, she faced a significant hurdle: the lack of a robust market for kumala in Fiji. To combat this, Saleshni devised a method to freeze kumala products, extending their shelf life dramatically, which not only preserves freshness but also ensures availability beyond the harvest season. This process, she explained, transforms kumala from a perishable commodity into a sustainable product.
Currently awaiting clearance for her Fijian Made labels, Saleshni is reaching out to supermarkets to expand her product’s reach. Her entrepreneurial journey is not only a personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to women farmers in Fiji, encouraging them to explore the potential of value-added agriculture as a means of economic empowerment.
This narrative ties into a broader trend in Fiji, where local entrepreneurs are increasingly advocating for reduced reliance on imported foods. Similar initiatives have been promoted by female entrepreneurs like Shayal Singh of Million Green Fiji, who also emphasizes self-sufficiency and local agricultural production. Together, these efforts are fostering a positive shift towards sustainable farming and food security in the region.
As Saleshni Devi continues her journey, she stands as a beacon of hope in her community, illustrating how innovation, determination, and support for local agriculture can lead to fruitful opportunities and empower others to follow in her footsteps.
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