Mahesh Chand says his family has not been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic because of the backyard garden he began five years ago.
Although he primarily began the business as a subsistence farm, the amount of vegetables he produced has allowed him to comfortably provide for his family and even purchase a car.
Visitors to his Koroipita Village home on the outskirts of Lautoka are often amazed at his garden set up because of the high yield he manages to produce in a very limited space.
“I plant a whole range of green leafy vegetables and other vegetables as well,” the 56-year-old said.
“My main priority is feeding my family but the garden produces so much that I have also started selling to those who need fresh vegetables to feed their families.”
Mr Chand says his backyard garden keeps him and his family busy and they only venture to the Sugar City to buy rice, sugar and flour.
He said he often thought of the opportunities the backyard garden had provided him.
The car bought with money made from the garden was now being used to deliver vegetables from that same garden to customers.
Mr Chand said his children’s educational materials and all their household whitegoods were bought with income earned from selling vegetables.
“Whatever little space you have at home, make use of it and you will not have to worry about feeding your family.”
