Koki Lal, 74, is a dedicated dairy farmer in Viria, Naitasiri.
His journey in animal husbandry began in 1970, when at just 18, he started work on his uncle’s farm.
For 19 years, he laboured hard, learning everything there was to know about dairy farming.
“It was back-breaking physical labour, but it was necessary for my survival,” he said.
His unwavering dedication did not go unnoticed. Later, in recognition of his hard work, his uncle entrusted him with a 10-acre piece of land to manage.
After leaving his uncle’s farm, Mr Lal joined a private chicken farm, where he took on the responsibility of caring for as many as 50,000 birds.
A father of four, Mr Lal now lives with one daughter, her husband, and their two sons. Age has slowed him down, but has done nothing to stop him.
“Now, I look after my own dairy farm but do less strenuous work because of my age,” he said.
“Before, it was tough. I did almost everything on my own, which I could do because I was young,” he said.
The sacrifices were many, and the rewards were small. Yet, the challenges he encountered taught him to persevere.
“We worked hard but were paid peanuts. I got $20 a month when I first started. Every few years my wages went up by $10 until I reached $80 a month. Then I left.”
As living costs rose, Mr Lal felt increasingly squeezed.
A move to the chicken farm changed everything. There, he earned $95 a week, a dramatic jump that allowed him to save and support his family more comfortably.
Today, Mr Lal looks after 70 cattle, including 16 milking maidens. He milks once a day, at dawn, with help from his daughter.
“The single milking schedule allows time for me to rest and cool down in the heat,” he said.
Having his own dairy farm brought more than income. He got the independence he wanted and time to do other things at home.
With milking done each morning, the rest of the day is spent fixing fences, checking the water supply, feeding other animals and running errands into town. Though age is catching up, retirement is not on his mind.
“When you have a farm, you can’t retire.”
“You have to work every day because there’s always something to do,” Mr Lal said.
“That’s a good thing. It keeps you physically active, fit, and healthy.”
At 74, Mr Lal is still rising before dawn, like he first did when he was 18. His story is proof that a farmer who works hard can build a stable and rewarding way of life.
