Miliana Fong, a widowed mother of five and a university lecturer, leads a multifaceted life that includes managing her own sugarcane farm. Despite the demanding nature of farming, which requires constant commitment with no sick leave or overtime pay, Fong finds empowerment in this role, allowing her to maintain independence.
At 43, the mathematics lecturer at Fiji National University in Labasa draws inspiration from her faith. Her venture into sugarcane farming began when she and her late husband decided to invest in this business during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They purchased a 13-acre plot in Tabia, Labasa, where they cultivated about eight acres of sugarcane using their savings.
Hailing from Dreketi, Macuata, Fong faced challenges in sourcing labor, prompting them to invest in a tractor for land preparation. Following her husband’s passing two years ago, she encountered numerous obstacles but persevered with support from her family, as this farming activity represented their retirement plan.
Fong, who has three daughters and a two-year-old, aims to teach her children the values of hard work and resilience through this endeavor. During weekends, her daughters assist with farming tasks.
She began her teaching career as a secondary school teacher shortly after graduating from FNU in 2001 and later enhanced her qualifications at the University of the South Pacific, becoming a lecturer in 2016. This year, she successfully supplied 179 tons of sugarcane to the Labasa Mill.
Recently, Fong was awarded a farm mechanization subsidy grant of $4,200 for a fertilizer applicator, making her the only female recipient of this grant from the Sugarcane Growers Fund in Labasa. She encourages mothers to remain determined and resilient, sharing her learning journey in sugarcane farming, which she embarked on without prior experience, stating that her struggles have led her to find happiness in her work as a farmer.