A dairy farmer from Viria Village in Naitasiri says farming helped him support his family, educate his siblings, and overcome life’s biggest challenges.
42-year-old Emoni Madrai says farming has become more than just a source of income; it has become the foundation of his family’s survival, growth, and stability.
Madrai says his journey into farming began in 2003 when he was working as an apprentice electrician.
He says his father asked him to return home to Viria village in Naitasiri to help with the family dairy business so his younger siblings could continue their education and pursue employment opportunities.
He adds that by the end of that year, he was already working alongside his father in the milking shed.
However, tragedy struck in 2005 when his father passed away, leaving him with the responsibility of managing and sustaining the family farm.
Madrai says his mother stood by him during those difficult years before she passed away in November last year after a short illness.
He says what started with just 9 cows has now grown into a herd of 32 milking cows.
He adds that the income earned from the dairy farm helped pay school fees for his siblings and relatives, supported church and community obligations, and kept the family financially stable.
Madrai says the milking shed became the source of all their success and motivated him to continue pushing forward despite many challenges.
He says some of the biggest struggles included negotiating land use with the mataqali, dealing with family disputes, and facing the uncertainties that often come with farming.
Despite this, he expanded into dalo farming in 2007, starting with 1,500 tausala plants, and today, the farm has grown to 10,000 dalo plants.
Madrai says support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways played an important role in helping him improve the farm.
He says assistance was provided through the Dairy Support Programme to extend the milking shed and through the Machine Outsourcing Programme for land preparation during the 2024-2025 financial year.
With guidance from livestock officers, Madrai also improved pasture management by planting Juncao and Setaria grass to strengthen feed reserves during bad weather and improve milk production.
Madrai believes livestock farming provides long-term security for farmers.
He describes cows and farms as the “provident fund” for many families in rural areas.
He says when his mother passed away, savings from the farm helped cover funeral expenses, further proving the importance of agriculture in supporting families.
Madrai is now encouraging young people to take agriculture seriously and avoid social issues such as drugs and the rising number of HIV cases affecting youths.
He says rural youths should work together, make use of their land, and focus on agriculture to help build their future and support their families.
