Meliki Butukoro and her husband moved from Suva to Navotu village in the district of Sanima in Kadavu with their two children in 2019. Life was difficult for them because they had no idea how to make a living in the village. "I can honestly say that things were difficult when we first moved to the village, and I used to feel embarrassed about selling root crops and vegetables at the market."
All of that changed in 2020, when she was selected to participate in a capacity building session with other farmers in Vunisea for the Markets for Change (M4C) Financial Literacy and Organic Farming Basics training - to upskill farmers on natural farming systems without the use of man-made chemicals, as well as to receive vegetable seedlings and farming tools. "I can say that the lessons have helped me grow and gain more knowledge and understanding. The second training I attended was in Vunisea, where we were given seedlings and farming tools to support in the growth of our farm. When the crops and vegetables were mature and ready for harvest, I decided to sell them at the Vunisea market to earn some money. This is my third year at the market."
