Group reaps ‘cash’ crops
GIN 1980, the farming achievements of a group of farmers at Waitabu Village in Lakeba, Lau, was described by Agricultural Officer Lau, Apenisa Tiniyarabukibuki, as encouraging.
He said it augured well for more meaningful agricultural development on the island.
The group of nine farmers led by Naipote Waqabaca, went into commercial cash crop farming a few years prior after a feasibility study was carried out by the agricultural extension officer.
The Fiji Times reported on December 12, 1980, the farmers accomplishments started getting the attention of neighbouring villagers.
Mr Tiniyarabukibuki said a plan was drawn, clearly setting the goal and objectives of the scheme.
Another emphasis included in their objectives was to involve school leavers in the project.
He said the drift of untrained and unmotivated people to urban areas contributed a lot to emotional insecurity which led to the committing of crimes.
Using selected appropriate technology based on the resources and managerial capabilities of the people, the group began planting peanuts, kumala, pineapples, yams, urd (a type of pulse), and vegetables including off-season vegetables.
Guided by new cultural practices with technical advice provided by the extension officers, the farmers were able to harvest different crops from their lands, which in the past had either produced little or were not being used at all.
The farmers also were involved in marketing their crops.
Peanuts from the project reached the Suva market while vegetables were sold locally on the island.
Their efforts earned them hundreds of dollars.
Mr Tiniyarabukibuki said emphasis also was placed on phased planting of crops where farmers would harvest their crops throughout the year.
He said the scheme was implemented with the consideration of the cultural and social aspirations of the group.
Young men were included in the group with the aim of showing them that there was security on the land.
The farmers were largely involved in decision-making while the extension officer acted only as a backup catalyst.
Mr Tiniyarabukibuki said the participation of everyone in the group had generated the self-propelling energy that enabled the group to achieve some of its objectives.
He said he had tried to foster self-confidence and self-respect by developing human potential, and this had produced results.
He hoped that other groups from neighbouring villages would come forward and copy what had been done and to fully use the services provided by his staff at Lakeba.