Meet Alevina Vela, a farmer and entrepreneur from Natewa who has spent more than a decade building a life and livelihood from the land alongside her husband, Robert, who is from Qamea.

Together, they have established their business in Matei, Taveuni, while operating their yaqona farm in Mua. Although they grow both dalo and yaqona, yaqona remains their main crop and the backbone of their family’s income.

For Alevina and Robert, farming is more than a livelihood. It is the foundation of their family’s future.

Their journey was not an easy one.

When they first started, it was just Alevina, Robert and their two children. With limited resources and many financial challenges, the family worked tirelessly to develop their farm. They would often walk from Matei to Mua to plant, weed and tend to their crops, determined to create a better future for themselves and their children.

“There were a lot of struggles in the beginning,” Alevina recalls.

One of the first milestones was being able to employ six workers to assist with farm operations, easing the workload and creating employment opportunities for members of the community.

Today, Alevina and Robert transport their workers to and from the farm each day, ensuring reliable access to work. The farm’s success has also enabled the family to purchase two vehicles, which have become an important part of their daily operations.

More than 10 years on, Alevina can proudly reflect on how far they have come. From walking long distances to work on their farm, the family now manages a thriving yaqona operation in Mua, with around 5,000 plants under cultivation at the moment, a testament to years of hard work, sacrifice and determination.

Nestled in the fertile hills of Taveuni, their farm is centred on yaqona production. From planting and nurturing the crop to harvesting, cleaning and sun-drying it, every step of the process takes place on the property.

At the heart of the business is yaqona production. Rather than relying on middlemen, the family sells directly to customers through their own market.

“It’s all about yaqona,” says one of their workers.

Customers can purchase yaqona by the bag or by the kilo, and demand continues to grow with buyers regularly travelling to Taveuni to purchase directly from them.

The family also makes use of every opportunity their land provides. Alongside yaqona farming, Alevina grows vegetables in a backyard garden, selling produce to generate additional income for her household.

The success of the farm has opened doors beyond agriculture.

Using income generated from farming, Alevina and Robert ventured into tourism by establishing Airbnb and homestay accommodation on their property. What started as a way to make better use of their resources has developed into another successful business venture.

“Thanks to the income from the farm, I’ve been able to set up a couple of Airbnb rentals,” Alevina says.

Today, they are expanding even further with the construction of a new six-bedroom accommodation unit to cater to growing demand.

Alevina says one of her greatest achievements is being able to support her children through education while also encouraging them to appreciate the value of farming.

Two of her sons are currently studying at Fiji National University’s Derrick Campus in Suva. At the same time, she continues to guide and advise them about the opportunities available through agriculture and the importance of making use of the land.

“I guide my children and encourage them to take up farming,” she says. “When they return to the island, they can make use of the land.”

Her message is already resonating. Inspired by what their parents have achieved, her children have already expressed interest in developing their own Airbnb businesses in the future.

Looking back, Alevina says she feels relieved when she remembers the hardships they endured in the early years. The struggles, she says, have been worth it.

Today, her story stands as an example of what perseverance, hard work and a willingness to diversify can achieve. From a small family farm built through sacrifice and determination, Alevina and Robert have created a thriving enterprise that supports their family, provides employment, contributes to the local economy and continues to create opportunities for the next generation in Taveuni.

Their journey is proof that with vision, dedication and a commitment to making the most of available resources, farming can become the foundation for lasting success.