GROW FIJI FOUNDATION; FROM THE GROUND UP; BY GEORGE KEIAHO

     I grew up in Fiji and migrated to the United States in 1985 when I was ten years old. My family lived in Suva, Fiji's capital and I attended Nabua and Gospel Primary.  Many of my relatives still reside on the Island and we have stayed in touch throughout the years.  After spending twenty five years in the States I decided it was time to visit where I had grown up. Upon my return I noticed much had not changed, the beauty of the land, amazing climate and gracious people made me realize that I was finally back home.

     Even though much had not changed, I did notice that the potential for Fiji is extremely underutilized. The land is plentiful and unused, the rains come consistently making everything green, the rivers flow from mountain top to the seas. The ocean is warm and clear with plentiful corals and fish. The reefs surround the island with waves crashing upon them.

     Much of the land still belongs to tribal members which has caused progress to occur slowly. The issue of land is near and dear to the Fijian's because that is how we identify where we are from. When a native is born they belong to their father's village so when one might ask, "Where you are from?" the person will identify the village of their father.

       As of today I still hold a Fijian passport. I am from the Rewa district and the village I belong to is Lominakoro. The names of all of my brothers and sisters who were born there are registered members of this village as well.

      Although progress is slow among the native Fijian's, many businesses have opened by immigrants from other countries such as England, India, Australia, New Zealand and China. The tourist industry has been the fastest growing. As more people vacation in Fiji the demand for fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy and protein have increased dramatically with very little production on the Island. 

      According to the Fiji Bureau of Government Statistics, Fiji is importing vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products at an average cost of four hundred million dollars per year.  Most of the foods being imported can be grown or produced locally. My goal is to start a small farm growing vegetables and fruit then expanding into other areas. My vision for the project is to set up a farm, work and train with my staff to eventually allow them to take over the work load, while I handle sales, marketing, managing, and expansion to diversify the types of products Grow Fiji produces. 

      The key advantages of production in Fiji is low start up costs and labor costs, high rainfall, tax incentives, high import food bill, acres upon acres of unused land and the ability to grow food year round due to climate. Even though my goal is to have a big operation the best approach is to start on a miniature scale.  The expansion will happen once Grow Fiji is producing quality product, at a consistent rate, with established markets to sell to, and a good, solid work team.  

       One of the intended areas for our farm is in Suva, Nakasi Naulu. We have a small piece of property that has been leased for twenty years, with room to expand the growing area. Two large ponds occupy the area for irrigation and drainage for the rainy season. Trees are plentiful in the area for wind breaks, and grass occupies the rest of the zone. Suva has a estimated population of three hundred and thirty thousand people and the Nausorri airport about fifteen miles away.

       In March of 2014 I arrived in Fiji to begin the project. The plot of land was leased from Esira Bainivalu for twenty years, beginning on April fifteenth, 2014 and ending in 2034.  Before I could start the farm there was much prep work to the land needed to be done. I brought in a digging company to make a drive way, create drains, knock down some trees and clean the ponds that were already there. After the digger was done I had to remove all of the fallen trees, and clear the land so the property could be fully utilized. After making a down payment on the lease and hiring the machine I ran out of funding. The planting phase is the next part of the project.    

        A second location was started in September, 2015 in Rewa at the Nasali Landing. The land belongs to Tuqovu and he is part of my Mataquali clan. He lives on the property, and works on the farm. We have an agreement on a crop sharing partnership. Grow Fiji is allowed to use the land, and we will share the proceeds when the harvest is sold.

        The starting phase got off on a rocky start due to rain. A soft ground coupled with excessive moisture stalled the tractor work for one and a half months.The labors did a couple of rows by hand, and were told to stop and wait for the tractor. The first to be planted were green-beans which quickly got eaten up by pests. A large row of cabbages and tomatoes had also got infected. The only harvest we got was a few buckets of cucummbers. The first time around was a let down and new changes are needed moving ahead. Setting up the farm was a more difficult part of the project and with that behind us, we can consecrate on other areas. 

       The next move is to get the equipment down to Fiji. We have two rototillers, a tractor with a ripper and tiller, chain saws, brush cutters, and other tools. With acceptability to large trucks and trailers to rent the potential to use other areas and expand is a possibility. 

       The two areas we have are relatively small, low cost, guarded, a short distance from my Grandmother's and a large population. Another plus is the low cost to set up the operation to learn and get better. In order to keep cost low, make our mistakes and learn are some incentives to starting small.      

    STARTING ON A SMALL SCALE

        Starting small with this project will be advantageous due to the low start-up cost.  A small beginning will also provide time for my learning management skills, formulating a structure, hiring a work team as well as allow a reasonable margin for making mistakes from which I can learn from and can make the necessary adjustments to continue without drastic outcomes.

       As the project manager my responsibilities are but not limited to meeting with land owners and acquiring documentation of authenticity to use the site. I will also be prepping the location, hiring a team to both plant and harvest and transport produce.  I will also be in charge of marketing sales, re-investments and expanding. 

       The great advantage in a mini operation is the budget of  sixteen thousand dollars to get the farm operational. The tools are the biggest expense. Once I have the tools rental payment is thirty dollars per month. Transplants, fertilizers, labor, transporting and fuel will amount to one thousand seven hundred dollars per month. The cost provided are quoted from services I have used or contacted through family and friends.

      Eighty five percent of the land in Fiji belongs to tribal members. Although land is readily available, capital, education, and a vision to see the potential in their land is lacking. With private funding and government assistant the potential for such a project are far greater.

      Under-utilization of native land has caused hardship on tribe members, the economy and the deteriorating infrastructure. I would like to show case my vision and draw attention to the possibilities. As a citizen, tribal member and having many relatives who still reside in Fiji there are a lot of incentives I have access to. Here are some motivating factors to look at;

LOW COST LEASES ON LAND

       A lot of land sits idle because leases have come due on sugar cane plantations. Many of the Land Owning Units did not renew leases due to low rents. The areas are in good locations and ideal for farming. I have visited tribal land owners in there villages from Tavua, Naitasisri, Batiri Nadroga, Lomowai, to Sigatoka. A Sevusevu was performed which is a traditional kava gathering with the tribal land owners. They have considered and given me permission to use certain parcels of land. 

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES

       The Fijian Government is offering tax incentives for all agricultural start-ups and tax free zones for those who choose farming in certain areas on the island. Other programs include grants to start a farm, seed and fertilizer distribution, site visitation from specialists and low interest bank loans from the Fiji Development Bank. My goal is to start Grow Fiji on my own and then begin to take advantage of these incentives. It is much easier to apply for grants and loans once I have used my own resources to start.  

WATER ACCESSIBILITY

      Micro climates are profound in Fiji. The western side of the island is dry and the central part gets a lot of rain. In the middle of the island it can rain up to two hundred inches per year. Many rivers flow down from the middle which can be axcessed year round. With the right equipment water can be supplied to many of the locations for farming.   

LOW WAGES              

      One third of the island's population live in Suva and the rest are scattered through out. Work can be hard to come by when living in the village. A lot of people have moved to Suva to find employment. The going rate for workers in the village and cities averaged twelve dollars per day. While visiting the villages I spoke with the town elders. They told me about the high unemployment rate among the young generation and the lack of motivation to cultivate their land due to lack of opportunity.  

      Labor and services are very reasonably priced. I hired a large digger for five days and they worked eight hours per. The price was one thousand two hundred dollars. I used a large truck to move equipment which cost thirty dollars.

     I have a big advantage in my costs when labor and services are this low. The network through relatives have helped me get the dependable people who are motivated to work and lend their trade.

ROADS TO EACH LOCATION

      While traveling to potential farm locations around the island roads varied from smooth, bumpy to rocky. The lanes are fairly kept up while new ones are being built everyday. Due to high rain fall they are constantly working to patch the holes. An independent Chinese company has been contracted by the government to maintain and redo the roads. They are not the best but are dependable and are being up graded every year. The Queens and Kings highway which circles the island is paved and kept in good condition.

LOW FIJIAN DOLLAR

     The Fijian dollar is considerably less than the Aussie and New Zealand currency. Combined with low wages, tax breaks, low payments on land, and the ability to grow year round I have a good chance to enter these markets in the near future. New South Wales, Victoria, Queens Land and Auckland are within 1900 miles from Suva. The estimated population for these territories is 18 million people. 

  ENVIRONMENT

     The environment in Fiji is unique because it provides the essentials to growing food at low production costs. Fresh water is plentiful, land is fertile, and weather is warm enough to grow certain produce year round. Products like coffee, cocoa, pineapple and papaya are some unique things that can only grow close to the equator. 

  THE RIGHT PRODUCT

     Vegetables, fruits, dairy and protein are necessary for a healthy population. The food prices have grown steadily and lack of production have turned people to buying unhealthy, cheaper foods. With government provided health care, the issue plaguing the country is high medical costs. The ability to increase healthy produce into the communities and decreasing the prices is a motivating factor. Another bonus is the land is used and the owners can see revenue from the lands that sit idle today and employing workers from the area.