Moreen Ram, a rice farmer and entrepreneur, received the Best Young Farmer of the Year (Female) award during the Fiji Rice Limited (FRL) 2023 President’s Farmers Award ceremony held in Labasa. The 35-year-old was visibly emotional as she accepted her accolade from Fiji’s President, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Ms. Ram expressed her pride in this achievement and urged other women to consider rice farming as a sustainable business option. Living in Muanidevo, Dreketi, she has dedicated the past seven years to developing her rice farming enterprise, with support from her husband, who is a civil servant.
She explained her motivation for entering rice farming stems from her family’s deep-rooted history in the field, emphasizing that the knowledge has been passed down from her parents. As the new season approaches in November, Ms. Ram is targeting a harvest of seven tonnes of rice paddy. She noted that past issues with drainage and access to harvesting equipment had impacted her production, but those challenges have since been addressed through a cooperative system that allows farmers to share resources.
Describing rice farming as financially rewarding, Ms. Ram highlighted a price increase from $850 to $1000 per tonne last December as a key factor encouraging farmers to stay in the industry. She plans to seek subsidies for planting and weed control to enhance her farming operations. Ms. Ram encouraged women to delve into rice farming, affirming, “It may seem difficult, but nothing is impossible if you are determined.” Her ultimate goal is to become the best farmer in Fiji, demonstrating unwavering commitment to her aspirations.