Seaweed Farmer Leads By Example
‘The elders in the village used to earn a lot of money from seaweed farming and I have continued it to this day’
Trying times indeed for the whole world and our nation in particular as we try to find ways to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and also recover and rehabilitate those who were affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold.
The loss of jobs due to COVID-19 in particular is compelling people to go the extra mile and provide the basic necessities for their loved ones.
It is times like this that we look up to leaders in our families, villages, workplace and country as a whole for guidance and hope that things will get better.
One particular leader is 74-year old Jone Guru who is the Turaga ni
Mataqali of the Mataqali Naitodua of Vatani Village in Kaba, Tailevu. He has made sure that he leads by example especially in ensuring that his family members are well looked after.
“I can already see that people are facing hardships in their day-today living. But we need to push on and live our lives as best we can,” Mr Guru said.
The father of four children is a full time seaweed farmer who travels out to his seaweed farm for five days a week. It has actually been his way of life from a very young age.
“The elders in the village used to earn a lot of money from seaweed farming and I have continued it to this day,” he said smiling.
When asked whether it was a tough job, Mr Guru just shrugged his shoulders.
“If you think it’s a difficult job, then of course it will be. You need to be positive all the time. I have always enjoyed life in the village and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” “Seaweed farming is really handson work. After attaching the seaweed to the lines, we wait for six to seven weeks before we harvest. Then we have to continue to monitor each line. So nothing to it really but just a lot of dedication,” he smiled softly.
“It has always been me and my sons and my grandchildren travelling out to our farm which is about a 10 minutes boat ride from the village. We have really grown passionate about seaweed farming as it has provided for us for a very long time in terms of meeting our family, social and religious obligations,” Mr Guru said.
Mr Guru went on to say that his love for the ocean and his seaweed farm never faltered even when his farm was severely damaged by
Tropical Cyclone Harold on April 8, this year.
“I had about 400 lines of seaweed that was ready to be harvested and
it was all wiped out during TC Harold. Of course, natural disasters happen and there is nothing that we can do about it. We just pick up the pieces and continue. It is important that we continue and not give up,” he said.
Mr Guru was grateful for the support from the Ministry of Fisheries all throughout his journey as a seaweed farmer.
“Like other seaweed farmers in the village, we have been trained and assisted by the Ministry of
Fisheries and we are grateful for all the support that we have been given.”
He added that straight after TC
Harold, ministry officials based in Nausori turned up to the village to assess the damages to their farms. “I was fortunate enough to be given seaweed seedlings to start off with using 20 lines. By early next month, I will be working with the Seaweed Project Officer from the ministry on expanding the farm to a few more lines.
“The important thing is that we continue despite the challenges that we face.”
Mr Guru has been encouraging fellow villagers to take up seaweed farming.
“Before we used to sell dried seaweed at 70 cents per kilogram, but it has now increased to $1.50 per kilogram. After TC Harold, the momentum sort of died down but now we are back on our feet and ready to expand our farms.”
Mr Guru also shared a bit of his past especially when he used to work as a diver involved in salvaging sunken ships from the bottom of the ocean.
“That is why I lost a certain percentage of hearing because of the many diving expeditions I was involved in. Quite exciting really, just being at the bottom of the ocean and also marvelling at God’s beautiful creation,” he smiled softly.
“I guess that is why, I have really felt a deep connection for the ocean and the food resources that it stores.”
The adamant leader from Kaba says that times ahead will be challenging and the onus is on everyone to work together to overcome it.
“Villagers have increased their farming activities and more people are going out to sea to look for food so that their families are well nourished.”
He adds that income generating avenues such as seaweed farming would be an ideal source of income for those living in coastal communities.
The Ministry of Fisheries is encouraging coastal communities to visit their nearest station for further advice on the endless opportunities of seaweed farming.
The Government is committed to assisting rural communities to be self-sufficient. This includes helping out in any way possible to elevate the profile of seaweed and help it grow.
Seaweed farming is really handson work. After attaching the seaweed to the lines, we wait for six to seven weeks before we harvest. Then we have to continue to monitor each line. So nothing to it really but just a lot of dedication.
Jone Guru
Seaweed farmer