35 years as a market vendor
Market vendors and road sellers across the country also received the brutal blow of unemployment during COVID-19.
Jagdish Narayan has been selling in the Nausori market for nearly 35 years now and shared how much they struggled during covid.
Born and bred in Wainibokasi, Tailevu, Narayan says there are days when money is good and on other days income was lower than expected. His produce ranges from chillies to eggplants and if available, duruka when it’s in season.
“Before I got married I was already a market vendor. I have been a market vendor for nearly 35 years in total. I was able to feed my kids through the money earned from the stall. I have never employed outsiders, I have looked after my own stall all these years.
In the beginning, he says he was planting root crops at home and would sell it to people within his reach.
“I started farming because I didn’t have a job back then so I would plant at home and sell my produce. I was persistent in wanting a market stall here in Nausori and when I got it, I never looked back.
“It is very hard for us sellers and we also have to pay for the tables that we use to sell in the market.
“Some of the produce I sell
Jagdish Narayan at his market stall in Nausori.
comes straight from my farm and some are transported all the way from Tailevu like duruka. Another common problem faced by all vendors is staying in the market past closing time to sell all their fruits and vegetables to gain extra money
and so vegetables don’t spoil. “Now business is flowing but very slowly because people are getting back to work but it is not like before.
“My advice to those that might have failed their Form six or Form seven is to not be ashamed of being a market vendor but to be willing to try it out.
At the end of the day what is important is that people are able to put food on the table for their families every single day.