Farmer Atil Chandra of Barotu settlement, Rakiraki, says he has lost $9000 worth of okra (bhindi), claiming it was deliberately sprayed with insecticides last Friday.
He said he was looking forward to harvesting the crop in two weeks’ time.
“This is the first time this has happened here in Barotu and I have no idea why someone would do this,” he said.
“I am a very hardworking farmer, and this is how I am treated.”
Mr Chandra had given up sugarcane farming and ventured into vegetables because of the huge returns.
“All this okra was for export overseas. We have exporters who come and buy from us.
“Now my crop is damaged, and I can’t do anything. I will have to uproot all these plants. It’s a total loss for me.”
He said the vegetable farmers in Barotu were trying to make the area “a Sigatoka Valley” in Ra.
“How can we progress when we are subjected to criminal acts like this,” he said.
“I spent two years in this crop and now it’s all gone.”
He claims about 200 eggplants were also sprayed with insecticides on his farm.
Mr Chandra wants police to apprehend those who allegedly destroyed his crop and also for the Ministry of Agriculture to financially assist in rehabilitating his farm.
