NOW that Mr. Giles La Rose is retired he has gotten the opportunity to pursue his dreams. Daily, for the past three years the 64-year-old pensioner has been caring for crops grown on his three-acre farm. Yes, his life’s dream was to be a farmer.

A young La Rose left the Region One community of Kamwatta in search of his own path. He ended up in a community named Bunbury several miles away. There he fell in love with a beautiful young lady, Jacintha. The duo has been married for 31 years. Their bond resulted in seven children.

Even though, La Rose had his own land he opted to be a public servant to provide for his family. Nonetheless, he found a job that was satisfying. He was employed with the Regional Education Department as a farmhand of the North West Secondary School. There, he gained knowledge about different crops and techniques in farming.

Following retirement, La Rose grabbed the opportunity to pursue his dream. He plants cassava, plantains, bananas, coconuts, bora and citrus. Every day between 07:30hrs and 11:30hrs and late afternoon La Rose and his wife are busy nurturing their crops. He believes that a clean farm equals good harvest.

“When I was a little boy I used to plant but didn’t follow it up after I leave my village. But I love farming. I feel good to see the plants grow. You care for these plants and they grow right before your eyes,” La Rose said.

While farming is an enjoyable hobby for the farmer, it also provides additional income for his household. Once weather conditions are favourable, La Rose could reap crops daily. Depending on the quantity, he either sells at home or at Kumaka Market on Saturdays and Tuesdays.

Only recently, La Rose tried a new crop- cabbage- a decision which proved profitable. He recalled that in January last, an Extension Officer of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) engaged him in planting cabbage. He took a positive approach to the request.

“I had already cleared my land for bora but I decided to go with the cabbage. That crop come good. I reaped 284 pounds of cabbage and sold a pound for $300 and that is a relatively good price. I will plant it again and make it one my main crops,” he added.

But, while La Rose tries to make a profit he ensures that the costs for his produce are affordable. “I know that not everyone in the community can afford the high cost for some food items so I try to sell cheap.

My prices are oftentimes cheaper than the shops so that my neighbours could get to buy food and feed their children. Not everything is about making a huge profit, sometimes it is best to grow food to help feed people,” La Rose said.