Anare Saruicava reminisces about his childhood, watching his father sell root crops at the Suva market in the 1970s. Now in his late 60s and a retired member of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Saruicava’s early experiences cultivated his passion for farming, even during his military career.
“My family has been involved in farming for approximately 54 to 70 years, dating back to when my father farmed root crops,” he shared. “We were among the first iTaukei families to sell yaqona at the old Suva market in 1970. I was still in school then, helping my father sell coconuts at the market.”
Saruicava currently manages a farm in Namacu village, Koro, where he cultivates kava and dalo among other root vegetables. He spent around 35 years with the RFMF, including a first tour to Lebanon in 1991 for three years, and multiple trips to Sinai, with one deployment lasting two years. He was also part of the inaugural group sent to Syria.
After retiring at 65, he returned to the village with his family. His first dalo harvest yielded about three tons, resulting in around $7,000. Now, he harvests dalo weekly for sale in Suva, planning to focus on yaqona afterward. He also grows a variety of other vegetables.
“The price of yaqona is currently around $90 a kilo. Other crops may sell for $100, but if purchased directly from Koro, it costs about $50 a kilo.”
Saruicava emphasized that commercial farming is not as straightforward as many believe. “Farming necessitates some investment, and partnering with someone can help when starting out. It can be challenging to manage one or two acres alone. Cooperation in the village is vital for achieving higher yields.”
They typically cultivate on hilly land, transporting the crops down to the village before shipping them to the port. However, the poor condition of access roads in Koro remains a significant hurdle for farmers commuting daily.
“The main issue for us in Koro is the bad condition of our farm roads. Improvements would allow us to plant more crops. The rainy weather generally benefits planting, although some don’t prefer it.”
Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, he and his community persisted in cultivating their crops.
Saruicava urges people to take initiative in farming for financial independence. “Begin planting, even if it’s just a small-scale farm. Some underestimate farmers, but we have a steady income. I continue to support my family, and we should always be grateful for what we have.”