FOR more than three decades, farming has been the backbone of Sher Narayan’s life.

Living and working on his land in Muaniweni for more than 30 years, he has depended on agriculture not only as a profession, but as a way to support his family and sustain his livelihood.

He began farming when he was young, learning the value of hard work, discipline, and patience.

Even at 60 years of age, Mr Narayan remains healthy and active, grateful that he can continue working on his farm.

“If you workon the farm, you will get money,” he said.

To him, farming is like raising a child.

He shared that crops need constant attention, care, and time.

If neglected, the farm quickly turns into bush, and all effort is lost.

Mr Narayan said this philosophy guides how he worked every day, and it also extended to how he treats his tractor.

He has been using his tractor for four years now, and it has significantly reduced physical labour and saved time.

“Tasks that once took days can now be completed in hours.”

“The tractor helps with land preparation, transporting produce, and supporting contract work, which also provides me with extra income.”

Sometimes, he finishes work by early afternoon, depending on the job, but during busy periods, his days can be long and demanding.

Mr Narayan strongly believes that taking care of machinery is just as important as working hard.

“If you care about the tractor, the tractor will help you.”

His daily routine starts early in the morning, sometimes as early as five or six o’clock.

Before starting work, he said its important that he checked the tractor’s water, fuel, and oil levels to ensure everything was in good condition.

Mr Narayan said cleanliness was also important to him. He makes sure the tractor is kept clean and stored safely inside the shed, protected from rain and moisture that could cause damage.

“Regular servicing is another key part of maintenance.

“My son plays an important role in this process.”

He highlighted that together, they keep track of the hours the tractor runs and make sure servicing is done on time.

He said this helped prevent breakdowns and ensured the tractor ran smoothly.

From his experience, missing a service can lead to serious mechanical problems and costly repairs.

He said despite careful maintenance, challenges still arise.

“One of the biggest difficulties is when the tractor breaks down unexpectedly.

“Mechanics often have to be called from far away, which means paying transport costs and waiting for parts to arrive.”

Mr Narayan said repairs can sometimes cost thousands of dollars.

He shared that these expenses become even harder to manage when crop prices are low and rental costs remain high.

However, he accepts these challenges as part of farming life and continues to push forward.

Safety is another concern he takes seriously.

He advises being extra careful near drains and uneven land.

“A small mistake can cause the tractor to get stuck or damaged, leading to more expenses.”

Mr Narayan compares tractor operation to looking after children.

He said when you are careful and attentive, accidents could be avoided.

Currently, he works with one full-time labourer and hires additional help during busy seasons.

He shared that his family also supports him.

His son helps him out when he’s not busy as he is a bus driver himself.

Mr Narayan says the tractor is more than a machine.

It is a partner in his daily life, one that has improved efficiency, reduced hardship, and strengthened his farming operations.

Through discipline, care, and experience, Mr Narayan shows how proper maintenance and respect for tools can make a lasting difference in agriculture.