DHAN Wati, 50, of Bulileka outside Labasa Town has never regretted being a vegetable farmer almost all her life because her family's livelihood has depended on the income she received from it.
The mother of four has been a middleman and market vendor and also runs a livestock farm as a sideline business.
Mrs Wati was among a group of farmers selling their produce at the Crest Northern Agriculture Show last week.
She said she would rather spend her days doing something worthwhile like selling tomatoes, eggplants, cabbages and bananas at the Labasa market than staying at home.
"All my children are married and have moved on with their own lives; their education was funded through the money I received from selling vegetables," she said.
"My husband who was a casual employee at a shop in town is now helping me in the garden. He does all the planting while I sell at the market."
Mrs Wati says a lot of people in her area depended on selling vegetables and fruits for their livelihood.
"Cabbage is now in season and most of us are selling it at a very low price because of its abundant supply at the market.
"Sometimes we have to sell as low as $1 a bundle which would usually sell at $2 because no one wants to buy them," she said.
Mrs Wati said such incidents had not dampened her spirits to continue selling her produce as this was the only source of income for her family.
"At least I am able to put food on the table and also pay for other expenses in the house like water, phone and electricity bills," she said.
She said the business of being a vegetable seller was actually fun and quite exciting at times because it gave her the chance to mingle and socialise with other women at the market.
"For me, this business allows me to meet new people who travel from as far as Savusavu, Seaqaqa and other parts of Vanua Levu to sell their produce in Labasa.
"Selling vegetables is part of my life and I will never stop doing it because it generates income for my family," a content Mrs Wati said.