At 71, when many her peers would be on retirement, Saras Wati Singh from Lokia Road in Koronivia, Nausori, continues a life of hard toil.
Twenty years ago, she took over a farm once owned by her son.
Today, though challenges may stack up against her, she shows no signs of giving up.
What began as a necessity has evolved into a source of purpose and community pride.
“I didn’t want the shed to go to waste, it used to be my son’s but now I have taken over its maintenance, and it is well-kept,” she said.
“It keeps me working, earning, and helping others.”
Saras, is small-holder poultry farmer, and self-funds her entire operation, including the shed, feed and medication expenses, while also managing 6,300 chicks.
She employs three community helpers who share with her an unwavering commitment to quality.
Her dedication and hard work got recognized recently, when she won the Broiler Farmer of the Year award at the National Agriculture Show in Nadi.
“Chickens are taken according to their weight, so it’s necessary to feed and look after them well if you want them to be sold and for business to keep running,” she said.
Saras’s farming journey has been far from easy. She faced unpredictable weather and a devastating flood three years ago but she didn’t lose hope.
Despite her age, she remains hands-on and forward-thinking, valuing the technical advice she receives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways’ locality officer.
“I’m happy that the ministry recognizes us and gives us advice; it helps us improve and keep going,” she said.
Despite her moderate success, she continues to advocate for government assistance to upgrade her farm access road, a critical need for sustaining operations and ensuring safe transport.
Beyond poultry, Sara’s farm is a hub of community benefit; she sells manure at $1 per bag, distributing up to 300 bags weekly to nearby farms and gardens.
Her efforts have become a source of motivation for the youths and women of Koronivia.
“I try to engage people around me, employ them, so when I earn, they will earn too,” she said.
Satish Kumar, former Advisory Councilor of Koronivia, praised Saras, saying, she has “been a motivator to youth and women of the area”.
“She reminds us to be aware of what is around us and to make the most of it,” Mr Kumar says.
Saras’ journey is a tale of personal resilience. Her husband, Narendra Kumar, a former clerical officer with the Ministry of Agriculture, passed away in 2000.
Yet Saras continues to carry forward the legacy of service and stewardship
“I have the willpower to be strong, and this farm keeps me going,” she said.
Saras Wati Singh is someone who turns hardship into hope and work into wisdom.
Her story is a testament to the strength of rural women and the power of purposeful living.
Saras Wati Singh inside her chicken shed. Picture: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND WATERWAYS
