At just 28, Shivnil Deo has made one of the hardest decisions of his life — choosing family duty over personal ambition.
A former student of Muaniweni College in Naitasiri, Shivnil once dreamed of a future in engineering.
However, with his father growing older and the family farm needing care, he stepped away from his studies and returned home.
“I wanted to engage in engineering,” he said.
“But I could not continue my studies because I had to help my dad on the farm.
“That was not easy. I had to sweat and commit.”
Farming demands physical endurance and sacrifice, and Shivnil understands that one day the responsibility of the farm will rest solely on his shoulders. He believes he is ready to take over.
“I am ready to step into my father’s big shoes.”
Guided by his father’s teachings, Shivnil believes hard work is the foundation of success.
“My father raised me well,” he said.
“One thing he inculcated in me was the value of hard work and knowing that without it, success cannot be guaranteed.”
Shivnil plans to expand and mechanise the family farm, but leaving Muaniweni is not an option.
“It was born here, and so were my father and my grandfather. This is our home and there is no other place that we know.”
“Muaniweni is peaceful and stress-free, the best place to raise a family.”
Deeply rooted in the community, Shivnil maintains strong ties with his neighbours.
“I know most people in the neighbourhood because I went to school with them and has good relations with them.”
While Muaniweni has seen many success stories, farmers believe more support is needed.
“Government could make better roads in Muaniweni to help farmers go to and from their farms,” Shivnil said.
” There could be a crossing for those of us who travel to our farms by crossing the river in a boat.”
His family had to ferry three tractors on bamboo rafts to get to the farm.
For Shivnil Deo, farming is more than a livelihood — it is a legacy built on commitment and staying true to one’s roots.
