If people can sacrifice going to work early in cities, farmers can also do the same when going to their farms.”
These are the words of Ioane Esava of Navunibau Village in Namosi, a father who believes that discipline and hard work are the foundations of success.
The old saying “the early bird gets the worm” rings true for Ioane, who starts his days at the farm as early as 7am alongside his three sons.
Together, they clear land and plant their weekly dalo quota, steadily working toward a shared family goal.
Ioane, 45, has set a target to cultivate as much land as possible this year for their yaqona and dalo farm.
“Not only am I teaching my sons how to plant their own crops, I’m also teaching them to take care of themselves when they become independent,” he said.
“Last year we planted 1,000 yaqona plants, but for this year we have all set different targets on what we need to produce.”
This year, Ioane hopes to plant another 1000 yaqona plants.
His eldest son aims to plant 600, while his middle son has set a goal of 300 plants. As a family, they plan to harvest together in 2029.
Beyond his role as a farmer and father, Ioane also serves as a district representative for Namosi. In this role, he has observed a growing trend among village youths seeking opportunities in cities and overseas.
“I’ve noticed how many of our children are going overseas to seek better job opportunities, leaving their resources unattended,” he said.
“I always encourage youths that they can earn the same type of money if they utilise their resources. For those going abroad, it takes three to four years to build a home and buy a car.
“It’s the same as planting yaqona. You earn more from farming than what you earn overseas, without any deductions for living expenses.”
For his sons, Ioane balances farming with education, ensuring they understand the importance of both.
“At one point, my sons didn’t want to go to school anymore because they saw the money coming in from planting yaqona,” he said.
“I discouraged them from dropping out of school and told them that they can do both—attend school and farm.
“So now we are preparing them for school next week. As they prepare for school, they are also planting their yaqona and dalo.”
Ioane also emphasises discipline and good values at home.
“I’ve always asked them to avoid smoking and drinking, as it often affects youths, especially with the rise of drugs in cities.
“I hope they will take heed of the advice and appreciate it because it will help them.”
Looking ahead, Ioane hopes his sons will grow into respectable men who will one day pass on the same values of hard work and self-reliance to their own children, planting not just crops, but a legacy for generations to come.
