The 2025 National Agriculture Show, held last week in Nadi, Fiji, concluded with 28-year-old crop farmer Mohammad Afzal Iqbal of Valelawa, Dreketi, being honoured with the prestigious Young Farmer of the Year award.
Iqbal, who grows watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, maize, cabbage, and dhania, dedicated the award to the memory of his late father, crediting him as the inspiration behind his farming journey.
After a short stint in hospitality, he returned to farming full-time and has since built a thriving enterprise with the support of government services.
He highlighted the role of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways in his success, citing ploughing services, subsidised fertilisers, chemicals, and advisory support as key enablers.
“Agriculture officers have always been there for us. They helped with ploughing, provided subsidised fertilisers and chemicals, and most importantly, gave us the knowledge to expand our farms,” he said.
Encouraging other youths to pursue farming, Iqbal said modern tools like Google, YouTube, and online resources had also been instrumental in learning and applying new farming methods.
The conclusion of the 2025 National Agriculture Show once again underscored Fijian Government’s commitment to supporting farmers, boosting food security, and inspiring the next generation to view agriculture as a rewarding career.
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