Moses’ farm supermarket a thriving business

By ROSELYN ELLISON
MOSES Baul operates a “supermarket” specialising in fresh garden food on his farm.
In fact, the farm is the “supermarket”.
“I am happy because I don’t go looking for money. Money comes looking for me. Customers bring the money to me at my farm.”
His farm is at Tagitagi One, Toma-Vunadidir local level government in Gazelle district, East New Britain.
“My customers are working class people who don’t have time to start their backyard gardening. They come and buy food crops here.”
His “supermarket” has no display shelves or counters. Vegetables and garden food are displayed on the farm. You go there, pick what you want, pay, and go home.
Moses, 44, is from Tagitagi. He is married with three children.
He learned a new way of farming while in Japan.
His farming adventure began when he was a student of the Organisation of Industrial Spiritual Cultural and Advancement (OISCA) at Warangoi in the province.
He showed and developed an interest in agriculture as a student there. He was then awarded a scholarship to study agriculture in Japan for two years.

“ I don’t go looking for money. Money comes looking for me. Customers bring the money to me at my farm.”

He learnt in Japan the fixed integrated farming system where a farmer can use the same piece of land for a long period of time. The farmer can plant various vegetables and greens on the same piece of land.
His farm at Tagitagi displays how it works. A customer can view all the fresh vegetables and green on display on the farm and pick what he or she wants – just like at any supermarket – pays, and goes home.
Moses has been educating people on the fixed integrated farming concept.
He has been using that same piece of land for three years now by applying the fixed integrated farming system he had learnt.
He started his farm in 2016 and took a short break last year before resuming again this year.
“The fixed integrated farming system is good because customers can buy everything they want at once. Therefore it is important that you make your garden like a store.”
Moses supplies schools such as Malabanga Secondary and supermarkets in Kokopo with fresh vegetables.
People especially working class people flock to his “supermarket” on weekends to get their supplies of fresh garden produce. It has vegetables, foods crops and fruits. People from other districts in the province also come to his farm.
On average, he makes up to K60 a day and up to K250 on weekends. Not bad for someone who does not have to transport his farm produce all the way to the market.
He urges people in the province and elsewhere to put their land to good use because there is a lot to be gained from it.
“You will see the outcome of your hard work. Make your garden your store so that customers can buy everything they need from your garden.”
Business at his fresh garden produce “supermarket” at Tagitagi is thriving.