Riten Chand Gosai (Mr.)
Fiji Islands
University of the South Pacific, Alafua Campus, Samoa

Being born in a country which relies heavily on agriculture for economy and prosperity, I believe the onus is on us, youths to move the nation forward in sustainable agriculture and development. This inherently begins with good education. I started my education in 1995 at Mulomulo Primary, a rural village school in Nadi completing Classes 1- 6. Then I joined Mulomulo Secondary School (2001- 2007) where I was the Headboy and Dux of the school in 2006 and 2007. After successfully completing Form 7, I got an Australian Regional Development Scholarship (ARDS) to study for a degree in Agriculture at the University of the South Pacific’s Alafua Campus in Samoa from 2008- 2010, where I currently am engaged in.

My family has largely depended on agriculture for a source of income; whereby members have been rural small-scale farmers and sugarcane cutters for generations with a few involved in outside work. This family affiliation to farming is where I derive my passion to accomplish something in agriculture for my community and nation at large. There is a pre-conceived idea amongst youth in Fiji that Agriculture and its studies are for the rural populace and weak students. I want to work towards breaking this stereotype and generate awareness that the less effort we put towards agriculture, the poorer we become, for the reason that we are failing to realize the full potential of what we are blessed with- arable land and the sea.

For a geographically isolated country like Fiji with a maritime tropical climate, a sustainable and successful agriculture sector is a key factor for growth and development. Daily advancements in “information and communication technologies” (ICTs) has the power to change our opinions and ideas about how we farm and to help greatly with its success. An aspiration has always been there and consequently this essay contest provides me with the inspiration and opportunity to make a difference and promote agriculture amongst the people of my country, particularly the youth.