Some workers dread the days when they will retire especially if they have not planned well for their retirement.
Such was not the case for 57-year-old retired civil servant, Mesake Nacola who had planned for his retirement in advance and is now living quietly on his farm.
Mr. Nacola who is originally from Soa Village in Ra had retired last year as the Principal Research Officer (Horticulture) at the Nacocolevu Research Station in Sigatoka.
He said that he knew very well that he would one day move out of the civil service and that was the reason he bought a farm in Verata, Tailevu just outside Nausori Town in 2006.
Mr. Nacola chose farming because he knew that it was a profession that he was from and believed that it would give him peace of mind.
"I was engaged in agricultural development throughout the country during my carrier as an agricultural research officer and I am not yet prepared to go away from agriculture," said Mr Nacola.
"That was the reason I bought the farm and planted long term crops like lemons and coconuts which are now bearing fruits," smiled Nacola.
"Now I am focusing on growing crops like dalo, cassava and other assorted vegetables to complement my retirement salary," he said.
When he was working, he used to travel from Sigatoka to Nausori during weekends and holidays to work on his farm.
Mr Nacola owns a 10 acre native lease which he has divided into two. He uses five acres while the other five acres is being cultivated by his son.
"I work in my farm as if I am still working for someone else therefore my day start at 8 o'clock in morning and it usually ends late in the evening," smiled Nacola.
"I still visit my farm even on those days when I don't have any work on the farm just to see the crops growing as it gives me extra satisfaction."
All the investment in his farm so far had been from his own funds and he does not believe on borrowing money to run the farm.
Mr Nacola has 4000 dalo plants and he is expecting to harvest around eight to 10 tonnes of dalo at the end of this year.
All his dalo were of the Tausala ni Samoa variety that is generally sold to exporters for the export markets.
"My target is to harvest dalo just before Christmas to meet all my expenses for the festive season."
He says that the only problem in the Central Division was rain which seemed never ending.
Most of the time he works in the farm alone and if need arises he hires casual labourers who are mostly unemployed youths from the communities around him.
"My days are usually full with farming activities ranging from land clearing, land preparation, planting and weeding."
"The land is generally hilly therefore land preparation is a difficult task as trees have to be cleared manually."
Nacola says he doesn't have any regrets that he chose to continue farming after retiring from the civil service.
His advice to all those who are about to retire is to have good plan for their future to keep them active and healthy.
He says that all those retiring are still young and healthy and can still contribute to their family livelihood as well as to their community.
nUmendra Pratap, is an Information staff member at the Ministry of Primary Industries