Labour of love helps Perina through all seasons in life
WHILE many of those who sell at the market first started to support their families economically Perina Matai has a different story.
She started it off as a labour of love by assisting her mother support their family.
As the eldest of three siblings in their village home in Nairukuruku, Naitasiri, selling ota/lalabi (edible ferns) has brought about many benefits for her.
Formerly of Nairukuruku District and Assemblies of God High School , Perina started her journey as a market vendor in Suva last year.
Perina said seeing lalabi grow freely in their area encouraged her to try earning extra income by selling a few bundles in the market. She said, getting to where they grow wild in the village forest is a half hour journey by foot. But once the women she goes with to collect the lalabi embark on the journey they spend the whole day there collecting as many ferns as they can carry back home.
Perina said once the women make the journey, they take their lunches with them for nourishment and convenience as it is too far to return home for a break.
She said they would usually return after 2pm when they had harvested all they could carry.
Her mother who used to support the family through her canteen in the village had closed her micro business due to health problems.
So through Perina's micro business of selling these edible ferns, she has been able to support her family financially.
Perina buys food and other supplies for the family while she also meets commitments and responsibilities expected in the village.
These tasks she’s involved in also help in the collective welfare of the village.
Perina sells her bundles of ferns for $3 each and during her weekly trips to the Suva Market, she usually brings 20 bundles to sell.
She comes to the market every Friday and her day starts at 4am.
Perina says being able to use the accommodation provided for vendors at the Suva Market is an opportunity she maximises on as she spends the night in Suva to sell what is left from her supply on Friday before she leaves the market at around 1pm on Saturday.
Perina also shared timely advice stressing the importance of utilising our natural resources.
She added with the abundance of resources available on land and sea, people can resort to it as a source of income.
Citing an example to create economic gain, she said village women were also making money from selling flowers.
She also said her micro business of selling edible ferns was a testament to the above.
Perina concluded that the onus of being successful is in our hands.
She said at the end of the day it is our resources and our determination that will help us through all seasons in life.
PENIASI Tagitagivalu has been a farmer at Lomaivuna in Naitasiri since 2012.
The former Water Authority worker said one of the major challenges he faced as a farmer was the lack of help from machines to help till the land.
"It is very expensive to ask for a digger to come and till the land as pay $100 an hour," he said.
Luckily for Mr Tagitagivalu, he receives help from his grandson who accompanies him to the farm on certain days.
The 66-year-old plants cassava, dalo and mostly ginger in his plantation.
He wishes to complete his ginger plantation at the earliest so he can plant cassava before mid year - as it is in high demand at the moment.
Mr Tagitagivalu said the price of cassava had gone up terribly and there was nothing that could be done about it.
"Around this time, one bag of cassava goes right up to $150," he said.
"Lomaivuna is known as a place for cassava, but nowadays there's not much cassava."
Mr Tagitagivalu said the prices of root crops was expensive because there are not many youths around these days to plant.
"In most villages and communities, young people have taken the opportunity to go abroad - leaving the land behind," he said.
"We don't get the help and manpower that we used to like back in the day."
Another challenge he faces in his farm, is the change in weather. Mr Tagitagivalu says the weather plays a major role in the prosperity of his farm. He said rainy days are a blessing as it gives the right amount of water for his crops.
Another farmer, Panapasa Naimawi shared his experience after tilling the land for more than a decade.
Mr Naimawi says less people were planting in the country and that is a contributing factor to why prices of cassava have gone up.
He sells a bag for $80 to $140 but tries his best to keep the price at a reasonable rate.
Mr Naimawi says he understands that most people don't earn enough these days and that is the reason he puts his price of cassava at a minimum.
"I always think of my customers as well, we are all struggling to make a living and that is something to always bare in mind," he said.
"I also feel sorry for the people that live in Suva when it comes to buying."
One of the challenge he faces is the care-taking duties of his farm.
"Farmers know this, cleaning and taking care of the farm is always a priority."
"Especially if your farm is big, you will need help in maintaining and keeping it clean.
Mr Naimawi says chemicals helped him a lot in terms of cleaning his farm of weeds.
He also has his son-in-law and his brother who usually lend a hand whenever he needs it.
The 56-year-old urges young men to make good use of the land instead of rushing for jobs overseas.