A 34-year-old Lautoka farmer is proving that diversifying agricultural production can create a successful and sustainable farming business.

Pranit Prasad manages two sugarcane farms alongside a three-acre commercial vegetable enterprise, combining traditional sugarcane farming with high-value crops to generate year-round income.

After completing Form Six in 2009, Mr Prasad chose to continue the farming legacy established by his parents. Following his father’s passing in 2018, he has worked alongside his mother, sister and a hired labourer to expand the family operation.

The family harvests between 300 and 400 tonnes of sugarcane each year while also producing vegetables and herbs, including basil, parsley, French beans, rosella leaves, cabbage and eggplant, as well as seasonal fruits. Fresh produce is sold in local markets, with middlemen also purchasing crops for supply to hotels.

Mr Prasad says relying solely on sugarcane is no longer enough, adding that diversification has strengthened the farm’s resilience and provided a more reliable source of income.

His dedication has earned him several awards, including the Ministry of Agriculture’s Best Young Farmer in the Western Division in 2014 and the Young Sugarcane Farmer Award for the Lautoka District.

Despite ongoing labour shortages, Mr Prasad plans to further expand his farming business and is encouraging more young people to enter the agriculture sector by making productive use of available land.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry continues to support greater youth and women’s participation in agriculture through training, capacity-building programmes and initiatives promoting modern farming, diversification and value-adding.