Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation chief executive officer, Mereia Volavola (in red), and organisation staff with Hands On Harvest Enterprise staff/farmers last week. Photo: PACIFIC ISLANDS PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANISATION
By RANOBA BAOA
A group of youths who have taken a leap of faith to start up a ginger farming business are no doubt empowering youths in Fiji.
These comments were made by Pacific Islands Private Sector Organisation chief executive officer, Mereia Volavola.
What started out as a fill-in activity for most of the ten young men who are university graduates, school leavers and looking for work, will soon turn into a fully-fledged commercial activity.
This is thanks to the organisation through its Japanese-funded Business Development Fund Programme.
The youths registered their company calling it the Hands On Harvest Enterprise, were gathered at the Pacific Leadership Programme office to receive a supporting cheque of $7,779.74, last week.
Hands On Harvest Enterprise has taken onboard the Ginger Farming Initiative and hope to looking at exporting their products through a ginger processing and packaging company, they have secured.
The company has an eight-acre freehold land in the fertile area of Baulevu, Naitasiri where they will be focussing on setting the ginger farming schedule this August through September.
The funding will enable them to source expertise, and other needs to meet the business requirements
Make a difference
In handing over the cheque, organisation chief executive officer, Mereia Volavola commended the youths for taking up the initiative and making make a change in Fiji.
“Your business must be commended because of the idea of being very entrepreneual and for solving the issue of youth unemployment in Fiji,” she said.
“Hands On Enterprise is quite enterprising in itself. It has gone from sole ownership to partnership. From the group, you will be able to pull each other’s resources (knowledge) whether it be in accounting, managing, and even farming expertise.
“We thank you for taking this initiative and moving a step forward to set an example to our youths today. I believe that is a great opportunity for you all and where our youths can learn from you.”
Realising the dream
A tearful Hands On Harvest partner (capital contributor), Aminisitai Delaisainiai (an accounting graduate), thanked the organisation for their support in realising their dream.
The company had initially gone through a rough patch since it initially started, but with careful business, farming and marketing strategies they hope to make their ginger farming big.
“We have gone through a lot in the first year of setting up but it’s all a learning process to begin with. What I believe will make us successful is the bond and the goal that we share amongst ourselves. So we are tapping into that bond,” Mr Delaisainiai said.
“I believe that youths should be gearing towards this direction too. Start small, but gradually as you grow take advice from companies like PIPSO and other supporting organisations who have the business expertise and people with experience.”
Versatility
Ms Volavola also pointed out to the youths that while ginger farming certainly had a promising market at the moment, it was also advisable to tap into other cash crops.
“You can explore okra, bele (New Zealand market) chilli and capsicum (local market) farming to name a few. Be versatile when you think of products because you need to have back up contingencies.”
Ms Volavola is encouraging youths, individuals and the business minded to take advantage of their programme and see the potential out there in starting a business.
Programme
Currently the organisation has managed to fund 15 diverse projects in the Pacific region, totalling around $40,000 for this year’s budget she said. It has $120,000 in its budget portfolio.
In 2010, the programme assisted 19 companies, 28 in 2011 and 24 last year.