For many families, the festive season signifies celebration, but for 54-year-old Sireli Satavu, it represents an exciting new chapter in his farming journey. A lifelong farmer from Nahigatoka who currently resides in Lawai, Mr. Satavu is poised to invest in farming machinery for the first time as he embarks on a new venture into dalo farming.
Having learned the ropes of agriculture as a child alongside his father, Mr. Satavu has dedicated much of his life to cultivating seasonal crops, including cassava, cabbage, capsicum, tomatoes, long beans, and French beans. He reminisced about a particularly productive year when he planted 100 lines of cassava, which he sold at $50 a bag—a price that has since risen to $120.
Despite the availability of land, many in his community choose not to farm, opting to work in town instead. Mr. Satavu has been quite resourceful, supporting his family of five through both home-based sales and market transactions, despite his small-scale operations.
This month, he took a significant step by visiting an agricultural supplier and obtaining quotations for two new machines—one priced at approximately $666 and another exceeding $1,700. These tools will aid him in transitioning to dalo farming, a crop that is less common in his area.
Mr. Satavu expressed a desire to elevate his farming practices, stating, “I want to do proper farming now. I see people leaving their jobs and doing full-time farming. That’s what I want too.”
For him, Christmas is not about purchasing gifts or throwing parties. Instead, he is celebrating by investing in his future—a move toward modernizing and expanding his farm. With a hopeful outlook, he remarked, “God provided for you to come here,” indicating a strong faith in his journey.
As the festive season unfolds, Mr. Satavu’s commitment and enthusiasm suggest he is ready to make his most significant leap yet, fostering a spirit of resilience and aspiration in the heart of Nahigatoka.