Fruits of Sacrifice And Hardwork For Valley Duo
The late Maya Wati of Batiri in Sigatoka Valley along with her two sons were among the first lot of recipients that received $1000 each under the Government’s Small and Micro Business Grant in 2015. Today, their 6.5 acres farmland has progressed with the farming equipment they purchased with the grant. 67-year-old, Ms Wati passed away last year leaving behind the fruits of her sacrifice and hard work with her two sons. Her eldest son, Shiu Prasad said his mother bought farming equipment with the grant and that it had been of great help to them.
With the grant he received, the 41-yearold was able to build a greenhouse where he plants cabbages and other vegetables. Their farm is one of the successful ones within their area. The freehold land was bought by their late father in the
1960’s. The farm produce included egg plants, chillies, okra, beans, pawpaw and a variety of vegetables. Her younger son, Sandeep Prasad managed to buy irrigation equipment for the farm with the $1000 grant. “No other Government has given us this kind of grant, this is the first time and we are grateful for their help,” he added.
One of the challenges, Mr Prasad said was not having enough water for their farms during the drought season. “There are also some advantages like flooding and because of that the prices of vegetables increase and we can sell 50 kg eggplant for 100 dollars for instance,” he added.
Her eldest son, Shiu Prasad said her mother bought farming equipment with the grant and that it had been of great help to them.