Young Farmer of the Year, Devesh Prashneil Nath (left) receives his prize from Goodman Fielder general manager Fiji, Chris Zaayman at the Crest Agriculture Show 2013 Awards night on Friday. Photo: WAISEA NASOKIA
By LITIA MATHEWSELL
Twenty-four-year-old Devesh Prashneil Nath’s commitment in the agriculture sector is a sign that there is still hope for Fiji in this critical sector in the future.
In 2008, he attained a Diploma in Business Studies from the-then Fiji Institute of Technology (now Fiji National University).
Mr Nath then ventured into the agriculture sector after seeing the huge potential this industry could offer.
With two tractors, a van, green-house sheds and a handful of hired labourers to assist on close to 15 hectares of sprawling fertile land, he is today the proud owner of Devesh Bharos Farms.
Award recipient
Mr Nath scooped the Young Farmer of the Year award at the Crest Agriculture Show 2013 awards function in Lautoka on Friday night.
He grew up in Sigatoka’s famous Salad Bowl valley and was a first time participant at the Agriculture Show, adding to a memorable Crest Agriculture Show Week at Churchill Park.
Mr Nath said he had grown up in an agricultural environment.
“My father was a bio-security officer and I felt inspired by him and was quite familiar with farming practices,” he said.
“However, I really did not expect this award and am quite pleased.”
Joining him to celebrate on Friday was proud sister Priya Darshani, while his award was sponsored by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
SPC agro-forest technician, Vinesh Prasad, said they were pleased to support Mr Nath.
He said his achievements would entice other youths to consider a lucrative career path in farming.
Overcoming challenges
Like any business, Mr Nath has his share of challenges but like an optimist, he is trying hard to overcome those obstacles.
“One of the recently challenges includes Cyclone Evan past December, which was a difficult time for all farmers in the West,” he said.
“But you have to try and overcome those obstacles and keep striking for gold.”
Mr Nath is also a member of the Fiji Papaya Project.
Seedlings from his farms at Savolau, Nadi, are supplied for export as well as to a number of non-government organisations.
