Make Use of Idle Land, Farmer to Landowners
Cakaudrove farmer, Tom Baleinakase, says there is no excuse for iTaukei farmers or landowners to profess that they are poor.
The father of three who lives in Karoko Village, Tunuloa shared that proceeds from his farm helped him build his three-bedroom house.
Mr Baleinakaaase is encouraging villagers to make use of their land and have a vision beyond subsistence farming.
“iTaukei people are not poor people because we have land in abundance that we can utilise,” Mr Baleinakase said.
“When I made use of the land, I realised how lucky we landowners were to have something to fall back on. However, not everyone wants to be a farmer or utilise the land that they have back in the village.”
While Mr Baleinakase plants yaqona as his main source of income, and he also does quick cash crop farming to complement their daily need.
“When our people (iTaukei) say that they are poor, I don’t believe it because they have land back in the village which they can invest on for a living.”
Mr Baleinakase said it was through hard work and perseverance that he was able to build himself a home.
“The materials alone to build my house cost me about $28,000. That does not include land clearing, etc, before we started building,” he said.
“I still have goals to fulfil, and this is all from farming.”
He met one Timoci Gaunavinaka, a businessman, who exports yaqona to the United States of America, New Zealand, Australia and Kiribati.
“I was able to supply yaqona to him (Mr Gaunavinaka) which helped me fulfil my dream of building a house for my family,” the farmer added.
He also encourages the youths in his village to follow his footsteps and make sacrifices.
“It was tough when I started, but I
kept telling myself that I needed to work hard and not give up so that I can upgrade the living standard for my family,” Mr Baleinakase said.
Looking back at his achievements, he said: “I am glad that I did not give up because if I had given up, I would not be where I am today.”
He draws his inspiration from his supportive wife and children.
“We cannot be always complaining and doing nothing. We can’t blame others for every bad thing that we face. We are blessed with land that is waiting for each one of us to utilise.”