Seremaia Bati works as a farm helper, a role that has greatly improved his life by enabling him to support his family financially. He farms for a Muslim family in Wainibuku and describes the journey as quite an experience.
Through this job, Mr Bati has been able to pay for his children’s education, settle water and electricity bills, and meet other essential household expenses.
He said: “Working on the farm has taught me a lot and has helped me manage my household finances.”
He emphasises that farming, although often overlooked, provides a dependable and steady source of income.
Mr Bati encourages young people to approach farm work with an open mind and courage.
He believes many youths hesitate to take up such jobs because of the physical effort involved.
“It’s sad to see so few young boys doing this kind of work. Many prefer to stay home instead of engaging in any productive activity.”
Mr Bati says farming is honest work that can bring genuine financial rewards and stability.
Based on his experience, he urges young people not to shy away from these opportunities, especially when employment options in other sectors are limited.
He notes that many farmers in their area are in high demand for labor, but there are few available workers.
Looking ahead, Mr Bati hopes that more men — particularly the youth — will see farming as a respectable and viable way to earn a livelihood.
By working on the farm, he earns enough to support his family, just like any other worker.
However, he also faces challenges, such as waking up early at 5am to start harvesting. He explains that mornings can be tough, especially when it rains, and he often has to help load trucks for transport to Suva Municipal Market to sell their produce.
“Sometimes, it rains in the morning, and since I’m the only farm hand for my boss, I have to endure these hardships. That’s part of struggling.”
There are times when it’s still dark, and he has to pick vegetables using a torch, or wait until daylight to finish his work.
Despite these difficulties, Mr Bati feels fortunate to have a job, especially in today’s challenging job market. He is grateful to his boss for giving him this opportunity and genuinely enjoys his work. Finally, Mr Bati encourages young people to be brave, embrace agricultural work, and recognise its importance as a pathway to achieving their goals and supporting their families.