Working the land pays off.
So believes one of the country’s top farmers, Fuimaono Esera Rimoni, who is urging people to make use of their land and earn a living.
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Fuimaono and his wife, Temukisa, have cultivated more than 500 acres of land at their village of Salani in Falealili.
They started in the 1970’s while both had fulltime office jobs.
He was the Director of Finance at the New Zealand High Commission and he also helped set up the Administrative Office for Tokelau.
It was when they retired that they took their farming up full time.
Today, Fuimaono is a High Chief of 14 villages in the Falealili District. He is also the chairman of the district committee and is the representative who discusses issues with government.
Today at Salani, they have a cattle farm and grow a variety of fruit, vegetables and spices, which supplies hotels and restaurants. There is also another ten acres at Falelauniu where they grow cocoa, bananas, papaya and black pepper. The cattle are also slaughtered for local butchers and to meet traditional obligations (fa'alavelave).
Last Friday during the annual Agricultural Show, the couple won top awards for the cattle farm, fresh fish farming, banana plantations and black pepper.
They also won consolation prizes.
Fuimaono is not boasting about their accomplishments.
He is more interested in using this to encourage people in his district to work the land.
Although it may require a lot of labour one can easily earn a living from its fruits, he believes.
“It’s not easy. It’s very, very hard.
Even at this stage, when we are retired, we have to really control and pay people.”
At Salani, the couple has long-term plans which will be publicised next year. Apart from the abundance of natural food varieties, there is a waterfall, there are flying foxes and pigeons.
The property was just last week filmed as part of a Korean series, similar to that of Survivor.
In Samoa, nothing compares to their farm.
“It’s a reward of hard work. I know the Lord has blessed us and this is why we’re still strong, because of our hobby, our passion.”
"The satisfaction one has at being one with nature is one that is comparable to none."
“It’s a different satisfaction when you look at the calves jumping around on the grass and watch the plants grow, when you’re feeding the fish, watching the flying foxes hang of the trees.
It’s amazing! That’s God’s creation!
Fuimaono said it’s something he has always enjoyed in life and it is his wish that his people enjoy that same tranquility of nature as well.
And while Temukisa sometimes comes into town to visit the daughters and their grandchildren, Fuimaono opts to stay and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.
These accomplishments made by a couple who started from scratch. There was no transport and they would walk to manually clear the bush.
“It’s been a long way but it’s beautiful! Its hard work and it’s been worth it.”
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