Epeli Tulaba runs a successful farm near his home in Vuci, Nausori.
For the 43 year old, the possibility of starting his own farm was something he never imagined doing.
However for 17 years, Mr Tulaba was sentenced for life imprisonment for a crime he admits has since taught him the valuable lesson for earning a living ‘the hard way’.
“When in prison, I realized that farming is one of the most profitable businesses ever and I had made up my mind then to become a farmer,” Mr Tulaba said.
A recipient of the Correctional Services Rehabilitation Programme, Mr Tulaba’s sentence was pardoned and he now owns a three acre commercial vegetable farm planting tomatoes, cabbages, water melons, cassava and dalo which he started from money saved from farming work during his time in prison.
“This money helped me to start my farm here and this is my first harvest. I expect to earn around $500 just from selling the tomatoes and cabbages,” he said.
“Life is a challenge and I believe that land is the biggest wealth and everything we look for comes from land as I have witnessed this. When I was in prison, I used to do farming and since then I have continued this. My farm is progressing well and I hope to start farming on seven acres of land to start a nursery and pursue crop rotation,” Mr Tulaba said.
Mr Tulaba’s rehabilitation is part of Government’s Rehabilitation Programme that incorporates commercialized farming, small business training and funding for income generating projects to enable inmates and ex-prisoners engage in self-sustaining livelihood.
The programme is also intended to deter ex-offenders from committing crimes.
He emphasized that while the Yellow Ribbon Programme assists the inmates and ex-offenders to realize their potentials, the onus is also on the individuals to work hard in fulfilling their dreams.
“Becoming a farmer has taught me many things in life but most importantly, I have learnt that through hard work and determination, one can have a new beginning just as I have achieved,” Mr Tulaba added.