Farmer Savelio welcomes wet weather

By Aruna Lolani 18 May 2017, 12:00AM

Wet and rainy days are the best days for farmers.

Ask Savelio Iafeta, 33, and he will tell you just that.

As opposed to the heat and the humidity dry days bring, he says rainy days provide him lots of opportunity to expand his plantation.

He needs it. With no one in the family with a formal job, Savelio depends on their plantation. 

 “We’ve being living off the plantation for a while,” he said. 

“It was from taro and bananas that our parents were able to raise money to put food on the table. As a father, I am doing the same thing for my children.

 “This is why the plantation is very important to us.”

Savelio, like most people, struggle with money.

But he is content with his lot in life.

“The plantation makes ends meet. It was my father who worked at the plantation all the time but now he’s too old to work, I have stepped in.”

 And he has had to learn quickly. 

“My wife and I just started our family last month. 

“We are now working on our own plantation to provide for us. 

 “The idea was to take what was the family’s only source of income to another level of having more crops to sell to generate more income. 

 “I grow taro, bananas and coconuts. Not only does my plantation provide my family with food, I can also earn money from selling things at the market. It’s good money and it’s quick cash.”

  Aside from the challenges of working alone and having to do everything by himself; Savelio said he is happy with his lot.

“I know it’s hard work and sometimes we go broke but this is what provides money and food for my family. I will never get tired of doing it. I love my family and I know this is my way of showing that.”

By Aruna Lolani 18 May 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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