AT a small roadside stall near Nakalawaca Village in Tailevu, Marika Vunibaka of Vione, Gau in Lomaiviti is quietly participating one of the area’s most inspiring family business stories, one crate of guavas at a time.
What began five years ago as a casual family conversation about setting up a fund to help support school needs and meeting community obligations has today grown into an eight-acre guava farm and a thriving roadside enterprise.
Marika’s family first purchased 100 guava seedlings from the agricultural station in Nacocolevu, Nadroga, intending only to pilot a small project.
But when the plants grew beyond expectations, they expanded, eventually planting eight acres of guava.
Like many startups, the journey has come with challenges. Pests once affected both the quality of their harvest and their income.
“We didn’t lose hope but continued to work hard, now we are getting the quality harvest we had planned,” Marika explained.
The family initially sold their fruits to supermarkets but later decided to maximise their earnings by selling directly to customers on the roadside.
That decision transformed everything.
“Our guavas can sell up to $8 each, depending on the size. That may seem pricey but people buy a lot because they know guava is nutritious and good for their health,” Marika said.
“It is very juicy and sweet. Some customers stop and buy up to ten at a time.”
On a good day, the family earns between $500 and $600, an impressive return for a humble roadside operation.
Their guavas have become known for their exceptional flavour.
“We joke that they’re so sweet, even a bat might think twice of getting macake,” he said.
“There’s nothing like our nakalawaca guavas.
Marika’s day begins early. The family does its harvesting at dawn, washing and packing the fruit into crates, and setting up by 9am.
“By 5pm, most of our three to four crates are sold and we can get up to $600. That’s more than what we used to get when we sold to supermarkets. We’ve eliminated our middlemen to gain more from the fruits of our labour.”
For Marika, the business is more than income. It is pride and proof that big dreams can grow from small seedlings.
He has one message for anyone driving through Nakalawaca to and from Korovou.
“If you are driving by, stop at our roadside stall and check out our guavas. You won’t regret it.”
Marika is the namesake of Marika Vunibaka the former Flying Fijian and Crusaders player.
Marika Vunibaka sells pearl guavas by the roadside near Nakalawaca Village in Namalata, Tailevu. Picture: SAMANTHA RINA
