Farmer enjoys benefits of tilling the land
BEING a farmer and a middleman has been rewarding for Jitoko Savuwati who hails from Tovu, Totoya in Lau. While many vendors are either farmers or middlemen, Mr Savuwati does both which he says has brought about many benefits for his family.
He has been a vendor at the Suva Municipal Market for the past 22 years and sells root crops such as dalo, cassava, yams, kumala, bananas and rourou.
Being a resident of Veikoba Settlement in Nasinu, which he says is a hub for agricultural produce for many farmers in the Central Division, further strengthened the evolvement of his business.
He said a wide range of produce sold at the market was harvested by farmers from the settlement.
Mr Savuwati said he sells a bundle of dalo for $30 to $50 each.
His supply includes dalo dromo, uronivonu, dalo via and more. He aims to have an abundant supply of dalo at his stall at all times so he does not disappoint his customers.
He plants yams and other crops every now and then to supplement his dalo produce.
When his yams are harvested, he sells it at around $100 to $200 each.
Mr Savuwati’s backyard garden has become his port of success as it ensures he has a steady supply of root crops throughout the year to maintain his sales and income.
As a a middleman, he also has a delivery of cassava from a supplier in Vanua Levu who sells a bag for $70 each to him.
Mr Savuwati said he also budgeted for manure and bought it for the same price from various suppliers as it was a vital part of his farming needs.
He says the quality of soil plays a vital role for farmers.
Mr Savuwati thanked the landowners of Veikoba Settlement for allowing farmers like him to utilise the their land to uplift the standard of living for their families.
With years of experience under his belt, the process of planting crops varies due to many factors, he shared.
He usually follows what they do back home in Lau when he tends to his crops and his farm in Veikoba.
This involves calculating the depth of the soil to plant the crop, while following ways to clean and maintain the field before and after planting.
The density of the soil plays an important role, he says.
“If it has high density the crop is planted near the surface of the ground but if the soil has lighter density, it will be planted deeper into the ground.”
He said weather also played an important role in farming but the government’s assistance with relevant planting materials has helped handle challenges especially after flooding.
The hardworking father is at the Suva Market three times a week, from Thursdays to Saturdays.
If they faced trouble with getting enough produce to sell, Mr Savuwati said he buys supplies from other farmers and middlemen in town.
While sales vary every week, he sells 10 to 15 bundles of dalo on average.
Festive seasons are good for farmers and middlemen.
During the Christmas holidays, he can sell around 30 bundles in three days, he said.
Interestingly on Mother's Day dalo sales is at its highest.
Mr Savuwate usually travels by bus to the market but if he comes by taxi it usually costs $15.
Receiving positive feedback from customers who bought root crops regularly from him has always been rewarding
He encourages individuals to utilise the land as this can help relieve the challenges households face with the increasing costs of food and living.
He says tilling the land can create many benefits that families like his enjoy.
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