Hidden inside the golf course on Denarau is a burgeoning farm. Fiji National University graduate Shahil Ram has been managing the plot for the Marriott group for a year, and despite suffering a slight setback because of the torrential rain in parts of Fiji’s western province recently, hopes to be welcoming guests to his domain soon.
Ram aims to supply farm produce, vegetables, fruit and garnishes such as micro-herbs, to the hotels’ kitchens. He’s taken an organic approach and is working with FRIEND (Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development) to ensure it can meet international organic standards.
“We’re going to welcome the guests to visit the farm, have a walk-through, pick the vegetables they want to eat. We’re going to create a small environment for them where they can plant and create that moment,” Ram says.
“When they return home, we’re going to send them the photos of what they have planted as a memory to them. We need to be unique. We are the first resort to do it.
“If they planted guava, they’ll see the progress of the guava. For kids, if they plant something, their memory is going to remain. And if they return to Fiji, they’ll say, ‘Hey mom, I planted this.’ “
While the hotel is crafting a new guest experience, Ram is also personally motivated by Fiji’s health and agriculture challenges.
“We are also motivating people around Fiji to practice organic farming because in Fiji there’s not many people doing organic farming. We are basically motivating all the people to stay healthy, eat healthy and be happy, that’s what we are promoting here.
“To be honest, agriculture is a blue-collar job, it’s not a white-collar job. Now, I’m looking at the young kids, they are more into white-collar jobs. This is why I’m here, creating a pathway for the young ones to see what you can do to protect our nation.
“FNU graduates are coming, the attachment they are doing it, [we say] come over, have an attachment, create memories, gain experience, and then you can have your own farm and operate and sell the things. It’s a cash flow, you’re going to get everything. So, it’s a beautiful experience for them.”
