For a simple farmer like Hanumanta Naidu of Tavua, working on the land is life. He has known no other.

The 60-year-old is a recipient of the Government’s Small and Micro Business Grant that was given to applicants that sought assistance from the Ministry after Cyclone Winston.

And through the land, Mr Naidu has put his four children through school and onto jobs while his youngest is still at school.

Apart from planting vegetables for market and family consumption, Mr Naidu also has ducks, goats and chickens.

“This is a good business. It requires a lot of sacrifice, but then everything in life requires sacrifice, dedication and hard work,” Mr Naidu said.

He said that in special seasons, he gets close to $7000 in income from selling the goats and chicken.

“It’s good money. And goats and chicken are easy to look after. I have set a programme for them and once you have a routine it will be easy to care for them.”

He acknowledged his wife who is his sole partner in the farm business.

“No one else helps us. It’s just me and her. She helps me with caring for the home and every now and then comes outside to help me with the animals.

“I have put my children through higher education and they are all successful now in their own fields and for that I am so grateful.

“I have achieved a lot in life, got a car, got machines that I need to expand my farm all because of tilling the land and grazing the animals.

“All through watermelons, cowpeas, cabbage and other vegetables.”

Hanumanta thanked the Government for helping him with the grant.

“The Government stepped in just when I needed the help to recover after TC Winston. They made life bearable again. If it wasn’t for the grant, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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