For 48-year-old Rohit Raj of Raunitogo in the Sigatoka Valley, toiling the land is not just a job.
It is a way of life.
The farm where he works today is the same land his family has called home for generations.
Passed down from his grandparents, the fertile soil by the Sigatoka River has shaped his childhood, his livelihood and his future.
Growing up, Mr Raj never had grand ambitions or dreams of pursuing a career in the city.
While he had four brothers, none shared his passion for working the land.
“I dropped out while still in high school and never really wanted to work in an office or take up other vocations,” he said.
His father was a farmer, following in his footsteps felt natural.
From an early age, Mr Raj learned the art of farming by observing his father and grandfather planting crops, pulling weeds and caring for the land.
Those lessons became the foundation of a lifetime dedicated to agriculture.
“The work of toiling the land can be backbreaking,” he said.
“You need to have passion and perseverance in order to succeed.”
Today, Mr Raj manages an impressive farm with around 2,000 pawpaw plants, 2000 chillie plants and 3000 eggplants.
His produce is sold to middlemen who buy at the farm, while some is also taken directly to the municipal market.
Despite the hard work involved, farming offers something he values, the freedom he enjoys.
“I like the flexibility that farming allows. I am my own boss and nobody tells me what to do,” he said with a smile.
Like many farmers, Mr Raj faces challenges beyond his control. Extreme weather conditions, rising fuel prices, driven by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, have decreased production and increased the cost of farming and transportation.
To manage expenses, he has become more mindful of saving electricity and reducing unnecessary costs wherever possible.
Yet, even with these challenges, his commitment to farming remains unshaken.
Every day, as the sun rises over the fields of Raunitogo, Rohit Raj continues the work started by generations before him.
His story is a reminder that success does not always begin with a dream.
Sometimes it begins with dedication and a willingness to nurture what has been entrusted to you.
