AJIT Singh’s foray into tobacco farming, which began in 2021, has proven to be a rewarding endeavor. His perseverance and hard work led him to tangible benefits, and at the British American Tobacco (BAT) Fiji’s annual Star Farmer Awards on March 21, Singh stood among 88 celebrated farmers, winning a bronze award for his accomplishments.
General Manager Sam Dormor highlighted the significance of the Star Farmer program, initiated in 2021, which aids farmers in enhancing their farming practices to boost productivity and profits. At the awards ceremony held in Votualevu, Nadi, Singh’s experience and achievements were recognized alongside those of other diligent farmers.
Reflecting on his journey, 62-year-old Singh shared how he acquired his first farm in Vunisamaloa, Ba. He invested time and effort in developing this land, stating, “I bought my land for $45,000. My farm spans 14 acres, with four to five dedicated to tobacco farming and the remainder allocated to sugarcane.”
His efforts yielded a profit of $5,000 last year, demonstrating the fruits of his labor and strategic planning. After facing a serious illness that forced him to pause his work for two years, Singh’s tenacity never wavered, as he remained committed to his farming ambitions.
Singh attributed much of his success to the supportive environment fostered by BAT, saying, “This company is good; it has helped me so much.” He expressed gratitude for the assistance he received from his supervisors.
His bronze award serves not just as recognition but as motivation to further enhance his farming operations in the coming years. “I’m going to try my best next year,” Singh remarked with enthusiasm, encouraging other aspiring tobacco farmers to invest effort into their work to achieve similar success.
This year marks the fourth consecutive year that BAT has hosted the Star Farmer Awards, showcasing the resilience and dedication of farmers in Fiji’s agricultural sector. The initiative not only supports individual farmers but also highlights the positive impact of agriculture on the nation’s economy.
With projects like BAT’s partnership with Vision Energy Solutions to implement sustainable practices, the outlook for Fiji’s agricultural landscape remains bright and hopeful, emphasizing innovation and renewed commitment to supporting local farmers.
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