LocationsA Farmer’s Resilience for a Better Future
May 1, 2024
Avinesh Chand’s success story one of a hardworking farmer who sows hope for the next generation - his children. through his passion for farming.
Avinesh Chand, a 48-year-old farmer, has spent 28 years tending to fresh vegetables for the Labasa Market. His story is one of commitment, hardwork and persistence to achieve his family’s goal– education for his three children. His wife is a behind-the-scenes strong supporter, working tirelessly to assist Avinesh with the farm and family business.
The of Avinesh’s Farming Journey
Avinesh grew up in Labasa, surrounded by fertile land. His parents instilled in him a love for farming, and he embraced it wholeheartedly. With dedication, he worked the soil, nurtured crops, and watched them grow in both favourable and unfavorable conditions. His plants —English cabbage, beans, tomatoes, and capsicum, egg plants, cucumber and lettuce, and produces greater yields that are often harvested for sale at the Labasa market.
Land, Family, and Dreams
Avinesh leases 11 acres of land, with 2 acres dedicated to his commercial and subsistence agriculture farming. His family—his rock—includes his wife and three children. His two sons and daughter witness his tireless efforts, understanding the hard work that sustains them. Education is their shared dream, and Avinesh toils for their brighter future. At the time of writing, his daughter is studying at Medical School, a son is in Suva for tertiary education and anther son at year 13 -secondary education. All expenses covered through the family farm income from the market sales.
Avinesh Chand, standing third from left, presents with his group during the week-long Protective Cropping training session.
Battling Nature’s Challenges
Avinesh’s knowledge grew through experience and a week-long protective cropping training session, organised through the Markets for Change Project, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture. With the newfound insights, he ensured his farm was well protected against pests and unpredictable weather. However, a recent flood washed away the farm soil and crops, threatening his livelihood. Undeterred by this experience, Avinesh rebuilt his nursery, determined to overcome adversity with the strong support of his wife and children, who are the driving force behind his persistence.
Sugarcane and Market Contributions
In addition to vegetables, Avinesh cultivates sugarcane—a vital part of Fijian agriculture. His dual role as a sugarcane farmer and a supplier to Labasa Market keeps him busy. However, his children have no interest in farming and they are much more focused on education, inspired by their father’s resilience.
Avinesh Chand, pictured here with his wife, embraced his love for farming wholeheartedly and hopes that one day his children will surpass him.
Gratitude and Hope
The rainy season challenges Avinesh, but he remains grateful for the protective cropping training. As raindrops fall on his nursery roof, he envisions a better future for his children—one where education will be rewarded someday. He has no plans for retirement, as his main goal and dream is better education for his children.
Avinesh Chand’s success story is one of a successful hardworking farmer who sows hope for the next generation – his children, and he hopes that his children will someday surpass him.
The Markets for Change Project continues to contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. It's a project that aims to ensure equality and economic empowerment for all, including men, women, youth, people with disabilities, and marginalized minority groups.
The Markets for Change (M4C) project aims to promote gender equality by economically empowering women market vendors in Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Samoa.This project, which brings together various stakeholders, offers financial literacy training that connects vendors and farmers with essential service providers. This sharing of information, raising awareness, and networking opportunities have the potential to improve the livelihoods of market vendors and their families.
The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and with support from the government of Australia. They are making a real difference in the lives of a farmer like Avinesh who continues to drive sustainable economic growth in Labasa, the Northern part of Fiji.
For more information, please contact:
Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | vilisi.veibataki@undp.org | +679 3227701
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