Petero Maciu, a 21-year-old from Nawi village in Cakaudrove, is encouraging young people to take advantage of vacant land in their communities to foster sustainable living. Having started farming at a young age, Maciu is now benefiting from his hard work, cultivating yaqona, root crops, and vegetables across more than five acres of clan land.
He expressed gratitude to his father, Sakapo Tui, for motivating him to cultivate the land. “My father always encouraged me to make use of the land to have a better living,” Mr. Maciu stated. He believes it is time to return to the practices of their ancestors, utilizing the land for sustenance rather than depending on others for food.
Maciu does not regret leaving school after completing Class Eight. “I don’t want to go back to school because what I get from the land is more than what I would receive from continuing my education,” he explained. His dedication to farming has yielded significant returns, with his first yaqona harvest in 2023 generating over $11,000.
His produce, which includes yaqona, cassava, dalo, and bananas, is sold at the Labasa Market, with yaqona fetching between $70 and $80 per kilogram. Maciu underscores the importance of hard work and sacrifice for achieving success, revealing that he walks five kilometers to his farm and often stays overnight to optimize his time.
“Despite the distance, I never gave up. I believe if all Fijians, especially iTaukei, make use of the land, it could address many issues in Fiji, such as poverty,” he noted. His earnings have allowed him to support his family, invest in farming tools, and even celebrate his birthday.
“I turned 21 in March, and to surprise my family, I bought two cows and invited the villagers to celebrate my birthday,” he shared. Recently, Maciu purchased a twin cab to facilitate transporting his crops to the market.
Looking ahead, he plans to build his own house, acquire land in town, and buy a tractor to enhance his farming efforts. His message to young individuals is simple: “If you have nothing to do, make use of your time and plant the land. You will reap the rewards in due season. We have to honor God daily, who is the source of strength in our life.”