In the serene coastal area of Volivoli, Rakiraki, a young Fijian entrepreneur, Swashtika Sristy Mala, is making significant strides in both business and community development. As the director of Volivoli Seafoods and Farm Supplies, Mala leads one of Fiji’s most noteworthy women-led businesses, establishing vital connections between local fishermen, farmers, and major buyers nationwide.
What started as a modest operation has now expanded into a flourishing enterprise that provides fresh and frozen seafood, along with farm produce, to various sectors, including resorts, hospitals, supermarkets, and local families. Volivoli Seafoods offers a diverse range of products, including vacuum-packed walu, mahimahi, snapper, tuna, octopus, lobster, and locally cultivated cassava, dalo leaves, and limes — a testimony to Mala’s dedication to quality, freshness, and traceability.
“My mission is to honor the ocean and the land that sustain us by creating a supply chain that is sustainable, fair, and community-driven,” Mala shares. Her motivation springs from observing the significant potential among local producers in Ra, many of whom struggled to secure fair prices and consistent buyers. “By connecting them directly with markets, we eliminate middlemen, minimize waste, and empower our community.”
Volivoli Seafoods currently employs ten staff members, including seven women and one transgender individual, whom Mala describes as the “heartbeat of the company.” The environment fosters growth and learning, with employees taking pride in contributing to something larger than themselves. Supported by a loan from the Fiji Development Bank (FDB), the business is constructing a modern seafood processing and freezer facility that meets hygiene and export standards, marking a pivotal step in their growth and capacity enhancement.
Beyond business, Mala envisions creating a multifaceted development in Volivoli that merges seafood processing, marine tourism, and community recreation. Her dream encompasses a location where locals and tourists can enjoy authentic Fijian seafood, participate in fishing charters, explore snorkeling adventures, and engage in sustainability education initiatives for schoolchildren. “In Ra, there are few places for families to connect meaningfully. We want to change that,” she emphasizes, aiming to foster communal bonding through family-friendly facilities, including picnic parks and play zones.
Despite challenges like rising fuel costs, weather-related disruptions, and cash-flow issues, Mala remains positive and visionary. “Every day brings new lessons, but we stay resilient because our purpose is clear — to make a difference, especially for women, farmers, and small producers.” She believes Volivoli Seafoods and Farm Supplies is just at the beginning of its journey, aspiring to make Volivoli a model for inclusive, women-led, and community-oriented development in Fiji.
If her efforts can inspire even one young woman to embark on her entrepreneurial venture, Mala considers it a success. Her commitment reflects a broader societal trend in Fiji, where women entrepreneurs like Saleshni Devi and Loraini Bula are creating robust paths toward economic empowerment and community upliftment through innovative, sustainable practices in agriculture and business. The inspiring narrative of Mala and her peers encapsulates the hope that sustainable progress in Fiji can indeed begin with one dedicated individual, grounded in community values.