At 57 years old, Olivia Cavuka has taken the reins of her family’s farm Yaukawa and continues to drive its success in the face of immense personal and professional challenges.

Located in Vitogo Paipai, Lautoka, Yaukawa Farm sits on a 25-acre land, of which 7 acres are actively being used for farming.

The farm grows a variety of crops, including pineapple, sugar cane, lime, coconuts, cassava and mangoes, with a stall in the market where she sells the produce.

Ms Cavuka has not only kept the farm running but has turned it into a vital part of her family’s livelihood.

Her story is one of perseverance.

When her husband, who was the primary manager of the farm, died unexpectedly from a heart attack six years ago, she was left to solely manage the farm.

With three children still in school at the time, she found herself thrust into the role of being the sole breadwinner and caretaker.

“It was a journey, I had to step in and take over the family business because we had no choice,” Ms Cavuka said.

Although she had no formal training in farming, she had always worked alongside her husband, learning the ropes of agricultural husbandry, farm management, and business operations.

She credits much of the farm’s continued success to the foundation her husband had built.

“We always did things together. I learnt from him and with that knowledge, I was able to carry on after he passed.

The decision to enter farming as a business was made years earlier when Ms Cavuka and her husband decided to commercialise their land.

They placed part of their land on lease, choosing to focus on growing pineapples because they saw potential in the fruit.

With the income from the farm, they paid for farm expenses, community obligations, and church commitments.

Since her husband’s death, Ms Cavuka has continued this practice, using the farm as the family’s primary source of income.

“My husband had taken out a loan to start the sugarcane farm, and when he passed, I inherited the responsibility of paying off the debt.

“That was a lot to manage, especially with the kids still in school and the financial obligations of running the farm.”

Transportation was another hurdle.

Ms Cavuka’s husband had owned the vehicles and was the sole driver.

After his passing, she had to pay others to transport goods to and from the market, adding an extra financial burden.

Weather conditions, particularly in the dry and humid climate of Lautoka, also proved to be a challenge.

“When it rains, everything stops.

“The weather affects our work, especially since the farm is located on a hillside, we must wait for the weather to clear before we can resume operations.”

Despite these challenges, she leveraged her market stall to generate income, using the funds to pay workers and sustain the farm’s operations.

“The stall became a lifeline for us. It helped pay the workers and kept things going, especially when the farm faced difficulties.”

Running the farm alone has been a tough but rewarding journey.

She acknowledged the importance of external support in sustaining her business.

She is a member of the South Pacific Business Development (SPBD), a microfinance network that provides financial assistance and support to women who own small businesses in Fiji and the Pacific.

“SPBD has been a great help.

“They’ve offered financial support and provided valuable business advice, which has been essential in keeping the farm afloat.”

Additionally, Ms Cavuka has benefited from the guidance of organisations like UN Women.

“It’s important to keep learning and adapting.

“I may not have formal training in farming, but I’ve learned so much from fellow vendors and business owners in the market. We help each other.”

Her resilience in overcoming adversity has earned her the respect of those around her, including her three children, who have supported her through the tough times.

“My kids are grounded.

“They understand the value of what their father left behind and are committed to ensuring the farm remains in operation.

“I am grateful to God for how far I’ve come. He has been there for me every step of the way.”

Ms Cavuka is an active member of her church, giving thanks back for the blessings in her life.

Her children, who are now grown and successful, are a source of pride for Ms Cavuka.

She stressed the importance of education and encouraged her children and grandchildren to prioritise studying.

“Education brings fortunes. I always told my kids to get educated because that’s the key to success.”

Ms Cavuka has big plans for Yaukawa Farm, she hopes to continue growing the business.

One of her goals is to purchase a vehicle to help with transportation, easing the logistical challenges that have plagued her operations.

Her advice to other women in business, especially single mothers and entrepreneurs, is to develop the right mind-set to overcome anything.