A Tailevu farmer says he wants to trade his 1300 yaqona plants for a vehicle. Mesulame Tuigau said it had always been his dream to own a car.
The Naloto, Verata villager said his interest in vehicles stemmed from plans to study automotive engineering that were abandoned when he did not complete high school.
“My mother passed away when I was in Class 4 and my maternal grandparents took me in,” the 32-year-old said.
“I made it to Ratu Kadavulevu School in 2003 but dropped out in 2005.
“I wanted to be an automotive engineer but found studies really tough.”
He decided to go into farming instead.
Today, his farm boasts 1300 yaqona plants, 3000 dalo, 200 yams, 500 chilli plants, 500 dalo ni tana, 16,000 tavioka plants, 400 vudi and 200 banana trees.
“I feel that this is my true calling, I have been blessed with how my farm has grown from a small row of plants to what it is today.
“And I have a steady market for all my produce because the soldiers always buy from me.
“I sell a basket of casssva for $10 and a bundle of dalo goes for $15.
“Farming is a good business because it is a cash business and if sales are slow, your family can live from the farm.”
The Naloto villager said news of his desire to trade his yaqona plants for a vehicle resulted in several offers being made.
“I want a vehicle that I can use to transport my crops to the market.
“I want to encourage young people and those that have dropped out of school to use their yavusa land to farm while they are still young and strong because when you get old, it will be too late.”
Mr Tuigau married a lady from Nakawakawa, Wainunu, Bua, in 2019.
