It is true that Fijians are sitting on a treasure which is land. It is one of our most valuable resources in this country

There is a common thread that runs through the success stories of two Fijian men, Mun Sami Naicker and Ilaisa Rokovisa.
Their stories appeared in yesterday’s Fiji Sun. The common thread was their conscious decision to turn to the land in order to move ahead in life.
It is true that Fijians are sitting on a treasure which is land. It is one of our most valuable resources in this country.
Mr Naicker was eating from rubbish bins in his younger days while looking for a job in Suva. He found his inspiration during a chance meeting with Michael Joe of Joe’s Farm. He then decided to return to the land in Tavua. Today, he owns a property on a 35-acre land. He has a family, vehicles, a sugarcane farm, big home, cash crops and a cattle farm.
Mr Rokovisa used to work for the Public Works Department, earning $140 a week. But the pay was not enough to sustain his family. He decided to return to his village in Nadarivatu. Today, he is earning $400 a week selling tomatoes. He is more comfortable now and he is his own boss like Mr Naicker.
They are living testimonies of the Government’s push for people to use their land productively.
A recent assessment revealed that 30 per cent of i-Taukei land can still be utilised to earn revenue for the landowners. While it may require some hard work initially, the positive outcomes will justify it.

Nemani delaibatiki
Feedback: nemani.delaibatiki@fijisun.com.fj