FORTY FOUR-YEAR-OLD Rakesh Deo of Drasa Dam Rd in Lautoka is a man ahead of his time because he has dramatically reshaped common perceptions about farming and higher education that continue to persist in Fiji.
A law graduate and former employee of the Suva City Council, Mr Deo has swapped office life for the soil, choosing agriculture as both a livelihood and a passion. For many, the move may seem unusual, but for the husband and father of two, it has become one of the most rewarding decisions of his life.
Just two years into full-time farming, Mr Deo now manages about 17 acres of land, growing sugarcane, eggplant, maize, cassava, chillies and lemon. Most of the property is dedicated to cane farming, while two to three acres are used for vegetable cultivation, with produce regularly sold at the Lautoka Market.
The land belongs to his cousin sister and had been left largely unattended following the passing of her father. Rather than allowing it to remain idle, Mr Deo stepped in to restore and cultivate it.
Although he holds a law degree, farming was never entirely foreign to him.
“During my school days in Labasa, we used to do farming,” he recalled.
After years in the professional sector, he said he came to realise that opportunities in law had become increasingly limited.
“In private law jobs, you earn around $12,000 to $14,000. Farming gives me more control over my time and better returns,” he said.
Together with his wife, Mr Deo now operates the farm largely without hired labour. His organised approach and the scale of his operation often surprise people, many of whom assume he has spent decades in agriculture.
In his early stages, support from the Ministry of Agriculture, through seeds and seedlings, helped him establish his crops and expand steadily.
Like many farmers, he faces ongoing challenges including pests, stray animals, floods and cyclones. Yet his commitment remains firm.
Beyond financial returns, Mr Deo said one of the greatest rewards has been earning the respect of fellow farmers and community members, many of whom now seek his advice.
Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue admission in law while continuing to farm and using his legal knowledge to assist others in the agricultural sector.
For Mr Deo, farming is not a last resort.
“Even educated people can farm and take it to another level,” he said.
