After more than two decades in law enforcement, Satish Chandra Lal has built a new life in agriculture, turning his experience in discipline and planning into a thriving farming venture.

The 61-year-old, from Daku Nadogo, served in the Fiji Police Force from 1996 to 2018 before retiring and returning home to care for his elderly mother. While farming had always been part of his life, it became his full-time focus after leaving the force.

Working on 50 acres of land, Mr Lal has expanded his operations through sharecropping arrangements, allowing him to increase production while sharing harvests with landowners.

His work is shaped by the challenges of seasonal farming, from heavy rains during planting months to dry conditions that can delay crops.

Beyond his own farm, Mr Lal plays a key leadership role as secretary of the Daku Natabe Cooperative, helping drive change in the local agricultural sector.

Through support from the Ministry of Agriculture’s mechanisation programme, farmers in the area have gained access to modern equipment, significantly reducing labour demands and increasing efficiency.

The introduction of harvesters has transformed production, with the cooperative recording over 100 tonnes of rice in a recent season and generating around $50,000 in revenue. After costs, the returns have provided a stable income for members.

Mr Lal says the success is rooted in careful planning; an approach he carried over from his policing career. He emphasises setting goals and maintaining daily routines as essential habits for managing both farming operations and finances.

The income from farming has enabled him to invest in home improvements and meet household needs, while also setting aside savings for emergencies. With his children living abroad, he and his wife rely on their agricultural work for financial independence.

Mr Lal believes modern farming requires not only access to land and machinery, but also a clear vision and strong discipline; qualities he says are key to long-term success.