The Best Farmer Western Division 2014, Mohammed Faizal Khan (left) with his wife and the award in Ba. The award was handed over by Deputy Secretary for Agriculture Developement, Uraia Waibuta. Photo: VARANISESE NASILASILA
BA
Forty-nine-year-old Mohammed Faizal Khan, of Sovi Bay Nadroga, was overjoyed after winning the Best Farmer Award (Western Division 2014) at the Western Agriculture show in Ba.
“I am very happy receiving this award and all this comes with a lot of hard work,” Mr Khan said.
“When one is a farmer, a lot of hard work is required, and then only do you receive the rewards.”
Mr Khan owns 500 acres of land and has been farming for commercial purpose since 1987.
“From this, 12 acres is for vegetable farming and the rest is for goat farming and cattle grazing. I have never had an interest in the academic side of things,” he said.
Mr Khan said he has never received any certificates from school and all his prizes have come from the farming industry.
“All my achievements are from this sector. I want to let the people know that farming can also be a career field,” he said.
He said all his three children have received the highest education in the country through the earnings from the farm.
Mr Khan has a roadside stall at Sovi Bay and sells fresh vegetables such as leafy vegetables, chillies, capsicum, chillies, and tomatoes and other in-season produce.
“I have been able to visit Bangladesh, India, Australia and New Zealand through farming,” he said.
He credits the Sigatoka Research station and Ministry of Agriculture for his success.
“They are always helping us with providing seedling for produce and assisting with irrigation works,” he said.
The humble Sigatoka man said he was always keen on being part of education and awareness programmes and this has helped him.
“I wish to produce more from the farm in the next five years and possibly increase the amount of animals I have,” he said.
Mr Khan won the award for Best Papaya Farmer Western Division in 2012.
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