Farming is a family tradition for Ambika Prasad, one that has put a roof over their heads, food on the table and provided education. He said in keeping with tradition, he took up farming after leaving high school at Muaniweni College.
The now 60-year-old farmer said continuing the work his father started when he left the Public Works Department (PWD) has been satisfying.
“My father was a painter and he left his employment for farming — a tradition that has been practiced by my ancestors,”
Mr Prasad said.
“I don’t have any interest in any other work other than farming. I left everything at the age of 20 to become a fulltime farmer. Just like my dad who left his work with the PWD to concentrate on farming, I saw it fi t for me to follow suit.”
Mr Prasad is not only a farmer, he is also in charge of the Muaniweni Hindu Temple and is highly regarded as a sadhu (Hindu priest).
“I tend to my farm when I fi nish my sadhu work. Life at Muaniweni is a bit hard at the moment. Before COVID-19, we had a lot of followers coming to the temple. Now that the lockdown and curfew are in place, hardly anyone turns up because of the fear of contracting the virus. They also don’t want to break the health protocol measures that are in place.”
Mr Prasad said he was optimistic the lockdown and containment measures and restrictions would end in a few weeks time.
“My call in the faith requires commitment and also I also have to be a strong believer in my faith. I have to be steadfast during this COVID-19 period and keep praying that people have peace and never let the situation sway our love for each other.”
The farming community in Muaniweni relies on selling farm produce for survival and Mr Prasad said despite the tough times, there was not much competition, but more brotherly care for each other.
“Now is the time for all Fijians to come together and fight this crisis together and make Fiji a safe place again, free from the coronavirus.”
Mr Prasad said he had seven brothers and two sisters.
“We look after each other, one of my brothers lives close to my farm. Since I am single and live alone, it is a big challenge because of the role I play in the temple and the demands of my religion.”
He said he planted dalo, cassava, vegetables and only sold produce on order.
“I wait for people to call and then I harvest the produce they want and take it to the border. That way they receive everything fresh. One of the disadvantages of this is sometimes the produce can over mature and go bad. So the longer we remain on containment, the more damage it will cause to my business.”
He said things were so bad that in the past few weeks he only did two deliveries.
“My crops are ready for harvest and if there are not enough orders, it will be a big challenge for me because I can’t take it across the border to Suva or Nausori.”
