At the Fruit Festival in Port Vila, Samuel Natuka, a pineapple farmer from Tanna, stood proudly beside his harvest, showing what dedication, strength, and family support can achieve.

Samuel has been farming pineapples for 10 years, planting around 25 pineapples per season. Each season, his hard work earns him around VT2.5 million , a living he uses to provide not only for himself but for his entire family, including those working in offices in town.

“Farming is good because I am free. I provide for my whole family. Even those working in the office depend on this,” he said.

But being a pineapple farmer is far from easy.

“It is not easy ,you must be strong. Pineapples have a lot of needles, and it can be tough. People in town may think it’s simple, but it’s hard work. Lucky for us Ni-Vanuatu, we are strong.”

Samuel’s commitment goes beyond just planting. Colleagues and organizers at the festival, including Milroy Cainton, highlighted him as a key farmer ,someone reliable, hardworking, and always on time.

“If Samuel says 9am delivery, it’s 9am on the dot. He works with action and a great mindset,” Milroy said.

Samuel attended the festival with his family , his wife and children , sharing his fruits and story with the public. For him, farming is more than a job; it is a lifestyle that blends hard work, family values, and community contribution.

Despite the successes, he faces challenges like bad roads, which make transporting produce to markets difficult. Still, his determination remains unwavering.

“The road may be hard, but we keep going. Farming teaches you patience, strength, and responsibility,” he said.

Samuel’s story is a reminder that behind every pineapple on the market is years of dedication, skill, and resilience, and that the strength of Ni-Vanuatu farmers continues to grow the nation’s agriculture.