Son Buys Parts For Dad’s Tractor To Help With Cane Harvest
Son thanks Government for its $100 assistance as crushing season opens in Vanua Levu.
Shahil Deo of Wailevu, Labasa, now has the means to help his father harvest their cane field.
Thanks to the Government’s $100 unemployment assistance, Mr Deo will now buy a part known as roden costing around $45, needed to get their tractor running again for the harvest season.
He said his father told him that he didn’t have enough money to repair the tractor and was unable to transport cane to the Labasa mill. That prompted Mr Deo to apply for the assistance.
“I would like to thank the Government for their timely assistance. The Labasa mill opened for crushing season on the same day I received the $100,” he said.
“The price of fuel, spare parts, maintenance of vehicles, farming tools and food are increasing, due to various factors. So, this little help is appreciated.”
The 24-year-old has bought the parts needed for his father’s tractor. Now, they can harvest their 36acre cane farm.
After dropping out in Year Nine from Labasa Muslim College, Mr Deo helped cut cane for his father.
He then worked for a year at NewWorld Supermarket, aged 18, as a packing boy, and returned to harvest cane again.
Later, he attained a Group Five driver’s licence with his savings and worked two years as a bus driver for Dalip Chand and Son Limited.
After the crushing season last year, Mr Deo helped run his friend’s business – Three Sisters Rental and Tours – working as a driver.
“Being the eldest of four siblings, my father holds great expectations for me and so I have returned to help him on the farm,” Mr Deo said.
Meanwhile, the Government has paid approximately $1.5 million to around 15,000 affected individuals in Vanua Levu as part of the first batch of payments on June 7.
More payments will be made soon, with the verification process currently underway. Payments will be made directly to beneficiaries’ M-PAiSA or MyCASH accounts.