FOR many Indo-Fijian families in the farming community of Muaniweni, the years that followed the 2000 coup were marked by uncertainty and hardship.
After the upheaval, many left for greener pastures overseas. Some settled in other parts of Fiji. Others refused to leave where they were born, clinging to its painful past while hoping for the future.
Muaniweni, is nestled among rolling rich soil of Naitasiri, and continues to attract those who see value in hard work and opportunity.
It is a place where people still believe the land can provide.
Among those carrying that hope forward is 20-year-old farmer Avinesh Nand.
Finding opportunity in difficult times
A former student of Muaniweni College, Avinesh does not spend his days behind an office desk.
His workplace stretches across acres of arable farmland.
Rows of dalo and kumala now occupy the space where many young people might see only hard labour.
But Avinesh sees something else. He sees an endless field of possibility.
Ironically, it was one of the most difficult periods in recent history that changed the course of his life – COVID-19.
The pandemic disrupted businesses, closed workplaces and left many families struggling to earn a living.
While others worried about where the next paycheck would come from, Avinesh noticed something peculiar that would later shape his future.
“When everything stopped, farmers in Muaniweni could still eat and earn,” he said.
“That’s when I realised that farming has huge potential. I embraced it and never looked back.”
The observation was simple but powerful enough to spark a relentless fire inside him.
While many his peers viewed farming as a last resort, Avinesh saw it as a golden opportunity.
Today, he manages several acres of kumala and dalo plants.
Recently, he uprooted 5000 dalo plants from one his plots. For some farmers, that would be a significant achievement.
But for Avinesh, it is only the beginning. He already has plans to plant 50,000 dalo plants and become one of the biggest farmers in the area.
His ambitions extend beyond crop yields and market days. At the centre of every goal is family.
“I want to take my family where my father couldn’t take us,” he said.
“I want to be a very successful farmer and for this is possible. I will have to work hard.”
Those words reveal the motivation behind the long hours, muddy boots and physically demanding work.
Getting your hands dirty
Like many young people, Avinesh once faced uncertainty about what came next after school.
When COVID disrupted education and employment opportunities, he found himself standing at a crossroads of life. Instead of seeing limitations, he saw clear direction.
“Dreams start from humble beginnings, pushed by sacrifice, sweat and getting your hands dirty,” he said.
“When I left school after COVID, I reached a turning point, that was where I realized that farming could make me rich and successful without a degree.”
His message is particularly relevant at a time when many young people feel pressured to follow popular career paths and a narrow definition of success.
“Not everyone will become a lawyer, doctor or engineer,” he said
“Not everyone will earn university degrees.”
Avinesh believes success comes from perseverance and dignity comes from honest effort.
“I drew strength from my hardworking parents and many other farmers in the area. I told myself ‘if they could do it, then I could too.”
“I drew strength from the land also. The soil does not discriminate. It rewards commitment.”
That is a simple lesson that continues to guide him.
Proof that hard work pays
Avinesh hopes to expand the family home so his parents and sister could live more comfortably.
At just 20 years old, he already owns two vehicles. These achievements did not arrive overnight.
They came through early mornings, long days in the field and a willingness to embrace work that many young people avoid.
While wedding bells may be tolling for some of his peers, marriage is not currently part of his immediate plans.
For now, his focus remains firmly on the future he is building.
A community rooted in hope
The story of Avinesh mirrors the story of Muaniweni itself.
Despite the trauma of the 2000 coup and the marginalization that followed, residents remain deeply rooted in the community, drawn by its peace, fertile land and enduring sense of belonging. Muaniweni emerges from its painful past not as a place to flee, but as a home to cherish.
And for young people wondering whether success is possible without going far in education, Avinesh offers a powerful reminder.
Sometimes it is found in a field, beneath the hot sun, with dirt on your hands and a dream in your heart.
And in Muaniweni, despite its troubled history, hardwork and farming continues to hold hope for the future.
A former student of Muaniweni College, Avinesh has delayed plans to marry in order to look after his family and realise his dream of becoming Muaniweni’s biggest dalo farmer. Picture: SUPPLIED
Muaniweni farmer, Avinesh Nand, 20, plans to plant 50,000 dalo plants in the neat future. Picture: SUPPLIED
Sacks of harvested dalo ready to be transported to the market. Picture: SUPPLIED
