Farming Reborn 2022: Love Story Turns Land into Life

In Camp-de-Masqué-Pavé, in eastern Mauritius, their days start as early as 4 a.m. While most Mauritians are still sleeping, Keshawve and Gheshta are already working their land, growing a variety of fruits and vegetables. The couple has also specialized in seed germination.

“We love waking up early when the air is fresh, and all we hear is the wind in the leaves. It’s a magical moment,” said Gheshta, 26, as she was preparing seedlings. Next to her, 34-year-old Keshawve checks the irrigation of lettuce beds.

“I’ve been planting since I was a child with my parents. They mainly grew pineapples on our 20 acres. Even when I worked elsewhere, I always felt pulled back to the land,” he explained.

After working in multimedia and accounting, Keshawve decided to return to his family’s farm in 2019.

“I wanted to reconnect with what I truly love. Working behind a desk is fine, but that’s not life for me. Here, I can breathe.”

The land, once dedicated solely to pineapples, is now diversified. They grow cucumbers, candy apples, lettuce, spices, as well as papayas, pitayas, bananas, lemons, mandarins, and strawberries.

“I want our customers to find a bit of everything here — fresh, local, and carefully cultivated,” Keshawve said.

In 2022, the couple got married. Gheshta, who used to work in ground operations for an airline, joined the farm full-time.

“I liked my job, but I also saw Keshawve’s passion. Gradually, I started helping him, and then I had my ‘aha’ moment. Farming is beautiful. We feed people,” she added.

They emphasize learning humility through their work.

Today, they manage everything together — planting, harvesting, and preparing produce for the market — all while caring for their eight-month-old baby. “We’re a real team,” Gheshta affirms.

They also specialized in seed germination, supplying young plants to other growers.

“Many farmers buy from us. We prepare seedlings in protected trays until they’re ready to be planted,” Keshawve explained.

For them, farming is both a profession and a commitment. “It’s not just for money. It’s a passion. When I see a seed sprout, I think: a new life begins,” Gheshta explained.

“The land gives, but we have to give back,” adds Keshawve. “We live according to the seasons — dependent on rain, sun, and wind. We learn humility.”

Climate challenges such as cyclones, heavy rains, droughts, and pests threaten their crops.

“Losing an entire harvest is tough, but we always get back up. That’s part of being a farmer,” Keshawve notes.

They also stressed the importance of supporting local farmers amid the influx of imported vegetables.

“There are still too many imported greens in the market, even though Mauritius has passionate growers and land. We need to encourage them,” urged Gheshta.

Despite their busy lives — caring for a small child and waking early — they remain committed to their choice.

“We have sleepless nights sometimes… but we get up at 4 a.m. with a smile because we love what we do,” Gheshta shared.

Their work is also a way to pass on values. “He’ll grow up here, among the fields, learning the value of hard work,” Keshawve said.

Every week, they sell their produce at the market. “We love connecting directly with customers. They tell us what they like or want to try. We exchange recipes and tips. It’s lively!”

This direct contact helps them showcase their efforts. “When people see our products, they know where they come from and that they’re carefully grown,” Gheshta explained.

Keshawve sums up their lifestyle simply: “The land is freedom. We’re not rich, but we’re happy. We live outdoors, together, doing something meaningful.”

Gheshta nods in agreement: “Every day, we see our fields grow… and our family too. What more could we ask for?”

Source: Defi Media