THREE generations of the Poulters have raised cows for milk in Waicalice, Tailevu and have faced all manners of ups and downs.
They have dealt with natural disasters, sickness in cows and over supply of milk. But the current generation, led by John Randall Poulter, quite never envisaged a crisis he is facing right now.
The 48-year-old has seen a 40 to 50 per cent reduction in milk production from 2017 after 161 acres of land that was under the Poulter farm since 1920, was allegedly taken away. John Poulter succeeded his father and came into dairy farming in 2003.
In 2017, he had 173 acres and 35 milking cows.
Now his 18 cows can graze only on 13 acres of land which he claims the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) has given him under a new lease.
He said it had become harder than ever to make any money, much less pay for the proper upbringing of his seven young children.
“The land is too small because I am a dairy farmer, my cows can’t live within these 13 acres for grazing. There is a lack of grass. Before I had plenty grass,” said Mr Poulter.
“I know it’s up to the TLTB but the decision they are making is not good.”
In 2018, Mr Poulter produced 20,518 litres of milk, earning him about $21,000. With a 30 per cent expense margin, he had about $16,000 for his family.
With about two weeks left for 2019, Mr Poulter is sitting on a milk production of 12,543 litres.
“I will stay here with this small piece of land and look for a bigger parcel of land if I can find another one.” Mr Poulter’s grand-father and his brother were pioneers of dairy business in Tailevu in the 1920s and his father took over from them.
“My grandfather John Poulter came here and my father was born here and me too … I was born here too.”
He claims the TLTB has given him and his wife Maleli Raileqe a 50-year lease, starting on July 1, 2017.
Mr Poulter said he heard the Government wanted to increase the milk production rate in Fiji and that farmers like him played a vital role in that process.
“They took away a large parcel of land from me and if you look at that part, it’s all unused and nothing is happening there,” he claimed.
He said he did not go to seek assistance from any government minister or agency.
“I know this is a native land issue and we can’t do much. But least they should see I am a hardworking farmer and I am contributing towards the increase of milk production in Fiji.
“We can’t do that if we face difficulties like these.”
Questions emailed to the chief executive officer of the TLTB on Tuesday remained unanswered when this edition went to press.
