BY JOY OFASIA
Like many rural farmers in the Solomon Islands, Seno Maita, a pineapple farmer from Buma in West Kwaio, Malaita Province, travels every week from her village to the Auki Market, the main market in the province, to sell pineapples. For Seno, selling pineapples is the main source of income that supports her family.
“This is the only source of income that has been supporting my family with all our needs,” the mother of four told SOLOMON WOMEN.
Seno is tying her bundles of pineapples.
Seno at the Auki market, sitting with her pineapples.
Seno started her pineapple farm when she got married many years ago. Since then, her farm has grown and is now one of the largest pineapple farms in Buma. She describes it as a source of family pride and a symbol of the hard work and teamwork that have made her family’s dreams come true.
With the help of her supportive husband, Seno said they have been able to achieve many of their family goals. “Selling pineapples here at the market every week has helped me achieve many of my family’s aims. One of the main ones is putting my children through school. I am proud to see all of them now in secondary school,” she said.
Another accomplishment for Seno and her husband is their permanent family home. “One great achievement is that we were able to build a permanent house from the money we earned through our hard work,” she said.
Seno is receiving cash from a purchaser.
Despite her success, life as a farmer and vendor comes with challenges. Transporting pineapples from her village to the town market is not easy. “As a farmer, moving produce from my village to the town market comes with challenges that all rural farmers face. Freight charges are high. A bundle of pineapples costs me $30 to transport, and if I have more than one bundle, the cost rises along with my transport fare, which is another $30. I have to sell all my produce just to cover expenses and try to make a profit,” Seno explained.
Sometimes, Seno has to stay in town for two to three days to sell all her pineapples before returning home. Yet, despite these challenges, she and her husband continue planting and harvesting pineapples year after year.
Seno also encourages other women, especially those in rural areas, to grow and sell crops to support their families. “If you live in a rural area, my advice is to make a garden and plant crops and vegetables to sell. This is the way we can achieve our family goals and dreams,” she said.
Today, Seno continues her daily work as a pineapple farmer and vendor. She is happy with what she has achieved and looks forward to realizing more family dreams through her family’s hard work. Her story is a reminder of the strength, determination, and hope that rural farmers bring to their families and communities.
