Farmer to expand work

 By PETER WARI

A FARMER in the Poroma Local Level Government, Southern Highlands, is employing 18 people to look after his coffee plantation, piggery, fishery and other agricultural activities. 

Simeon Yandawei, who never went through any formal education, has been described by agriculture officials as a role model.

He has three hectares of coffee blocks, piggery, fishery and promotes horticultural activities. 

Southern Highlands department of agriculture and livestock official Nelson Yamba described Yandawei as a “handyman” who provides services to the people and a “role model” in the community

The 18 full-time employees work on his coffee farm, piggery, fishery, peanut, banana and tobacco farms. They are paid fortnightly.

He plans to expand his involvement in agricultural activities by buying land from his tribesmen.

“That attracted the officers from DAL to visit him,” Yamba said.

Department adviser Kenneth Kuimb Toap said officers had been visiting the five districts to give technical advice and give farmers equipment to help in their work.

Yandawei said God gave us good land to be self-reliant and earn our living through hard work but some people failed to make use of the opportunity. 

“We are lazy and like to expect free handouts which will never eventuate. It is just a dream. Through hard work and determination, we can earn a better living,” he said. 

Yandawei said he left school at Grade One in 1968 and had been engaged in the agricultural sector for almost 20 years.