MORE SUCCESS STORIES AT AWARDS
FARMER FROM NAVAU SETTLEMENT IN BA WAS AWARDED THE BEST LIVESTOCK FARMER AND BEST BROILER FARMER FOR THE WEST
Navekatan Aujula has generated a gross income of $94,640 from 18,928 dozens of eggs last year.
The 29-year-old said he never regretted his decision to leave behind the luxurious life he had in New Zealand.
The livestock farmer from Navau Settlement in Ba was awarded the Best Livestock Farmer and Best Broiler Farmer for 2017 during the Western Farmers Awards at Tokatoka Resort in Nadi.
For the last two years, he has been involved in mixed livestock broiler based farming system.
Mr Aujula said that he decided to return to Fiji because he wanted to fulfil his 84-year-old grandfather’s dream of a successful livestock farm.
“My grandfather was busy looking after his six children and didn’t have any time to manage his own livestock farm.
“Now all his children are in New Zealand so I decided to come to Fiji and do this for him.
“Our blessings will flow when we keep our parents, grandparents and elders happy, this is very important,” he said.
Mr Aujula said he supplied for local markets and hopes to start venturing into export.
His livestock farm consists of four beef of local jersey cross breeds, 32 sheep of Fiji Fantastic cross breeds and 41 goats of Anglo Nubian Cross breeds.
This also included 782 broiler, 780 layers and 1000 layer chicks with the total value of $121,588. Mr Aujula said he would soon start venturing into pig farming in which he aimed to meet his customers’ needs locally.
In 2016, his production was 300 bird meat per month at $20 dollars each generating a gross income of 72,000 dollars per annum.
“I am planning to expand my poultry farm in the future and grow my business as well,” Mr Aujula added. The money he earned, he invested in his farm.
“I want to advise young people that they should work hard in what they do and save money as much they can because we live in a world where everything costs money,” Mr Aujula said.