WHEN most people in Suva are still asleep, Mini Sikote is already on the road with other women from Naitasiri, transporting bundles of freshly picked ota in the hope of securing a good spot at the market before sunrise.
The 58-year-old mother from Nairukuruku Village knows the sacrifice that comes with earning a living from the land.
Married into Naitauvoli Village, where she also has maternal links, Sikote balances farming, market vending and running a family canteen to support her household.
“I have six daughters and one son who is still in Year 12,” she said.
“My daughters are married and I have 18 grandchildren.”
Her life has long revolved around farming.
Together with her family, she plants yaqona, dalo, cassava, duruka, bele and rourou, while also operating a small canteen from their home.
“Those are our main sources of income for us,” she said.
But every Wednesday, it is the forest that calls her.
“On Wednesdays, I go to gather ota early in the morning because I sell it at the market,” she said.
“We don’t have to go far because it grows abundantly close to the village.”
The journey to Suva begins while the village is still quiet.
“At midnight around 12, we leave the village and travel down to Suva so we can secure a good spot at the market,” she said.
“If we arrive late, we miss out on the best spots to sell our produce.”
For Sikote, the weekly market trip is more than just selling vegetables. It is a way of keeping the household running and ensuring there is enough money for daily needs.
“Ota has become expensive now,” she said.
“It sells for about $4 to $5. Sometimes I can collect a few bundles of ota, depending on how much I can gather during a trip to the forest.”
On other days, she sells duruka (when in season), rourou and bele.
The income earned from the market helps cover carrier fares, household expenses and labour costs on the farm.
“The money I earn also helps us pay workers or hire a digger to clear land for farming,” she said.
“It costs about $80 an hour to hire a digger, so we usually pay for three or four hours.”
Further inland, the family’s yaqona farm sits deep in rugged terrain.
Despite the hardships, Sikote remains grounded in faith.
“I believe that with God, everything is possible,” she said.
“He placed us on this earth to face hardships, so we just need to learn to adjust with His guidance.”
