Rich in its age-old traditions and culture, Rotumans around the globe share a common bond and that is their love and passion for their mother-land.

At the recent celebration of Rotuma’s independence, the different people from all corners of the island came together to celebrate their freedom as an island nation.

With feasting and merry-making, Rotuma islanders gathered together at the AhauPavillion to celebrate with Government and non-Government officials from Fiji their coming of age.

Entertainment was the order of the day as well as the annual agriculture show where farmers had the opportunity to showcase their harvests of yams, kumala, dalo, varieties of fruits and vegetables as well as handicrafts.

One farmer scooped the ‘Farmer of the Year’ award for his outstanding achievements and hard work.

With excitement and triumph, he boldly walked up to the pavilion to receive his prize from chief guest and Minister for Primary Industries, Joketani Cokanasiga.

With his roots firmly embedded in the garden island of Taveuni, 58-year-old Pio Samuela is now living the simple life of a farmer with his maternal family links on the island paradise of Rotuma.

At the age of six, Pio left Taveuni with his mother and older siblings on their long journey to Rotuma.

“I still remember vividly the day that we left and after we parted ways with our father, we have never looked back,” said an emotional Pio.

The family moved to Juju Village and started rebuilding their lives and connecting with their family members.

“It was a hard time for mum and us but as we grew up, we managed to learn all the tricks and trade of island living and have been improving ever since.”

From his teens to adulthood, Pio was engaged in their family farm and even though starting his own family, he has a great sense of pride when it comes to working on the farm.

The clever farmer has been planting varieties of root-crops, vegetables and fruit trees on his small farm as well as raising pigs.

“I have been working closely with the Department of Agriculture officials and have always been one that is particular about the finer details of farming,” smiled Pio.

From land preparation to harvesting, Pio makes sure that he plays his cards right so that there is consistency in quality of his produce.

“I also look after my pigs well and they are sold within the island especially during social gatherings.”

“Rotuma is just a small island so crops, vegetables, and woven mats are sold within the island or sometimes to our families living in Fiji or abroad.”

Pio says that with the abundance of natural resources, Rotumans have been living on their own paradise.

“We have nothing to worry about as we have food in the farms and food sources as well from the sea.”

“The onus is on each and every one of us to play our roles well and see that our resources are used sufficiently as well as sustainably.”

According to Agriculture Assistant (Rotuma) Akariva Naqo, food security is not an issue on the island as there is an abundance of food as well as marine resources for its inhabitants.

“We had been conducting trainings and awareness programmes for the islanders to ensure that they plant more food and also prepare them for the market that will be opening up soon in Tuvalu,” explained Naqo.

“Farmers on the island are aware of the important roles that they need to play as well as ensure that their future generations will continue to enjoy the natural resources as well as food that they are still enjoying today,” added Naqo.

Pio says that throughout his years, he has played his role well and hopes that more Rotumans will follow suit.

“Farming is for everyone and even if we have a small piece of land in urban areas, we should plant vegetables because this ensures food security and we don’t have to run to the market every time we need to consume vegetables,” he laughed.

With his ten children and 14 grandchildren living in parts of Australia, Canada and Fiji, Pio says that he is now living life on the slow lane and just enjoying spending time with his wife.

He works on his farms two hours every morning and another two hours in the afternoon.

“I love every minute that I spend on the farm because I get to appreciate nature as well as enjoy the fruits of my hard labor,” smiles Pio.

One thing that Pio would love to see is the return of unemployed youths to the island paradise.

“I hope that by winning the award, more youths will realise the potential that the island has and do not have to travel far and wide for employment opportunities.”

“Not everyone can be a doctor, teacher or soldier as there is a need for more farmers as well,” said Pio.

“If there were no farmers, there would be no markets and then there would be no fresh fruits, vegetables and root-crops for our daily diet.”

Pio hopes that as the months and years go by, more Rotuman youths will return to the island paradise to take up farming as well as developing the island nation for their future generations.

ENDS