Sadha Lata Singh, 58, has no regrets about transitioning from her role as a secondary school teacher and lecturer to becoming a sugarcane farmer. After teaching for 24 years and working at the Technical College of Fiji (TCF) until its closure in 2020, she was inspired by her husband, Indar Deo, 65, who owns a 13.5-acre sugarcane farm.
In 2020, she obtained a 10-acre plot in Wailevu, Labasa, initially starting a rice farming venture in 2022 before transitioning to sugarcane farming last year. So far this year, she has harvested 90 tonnes of sugarcane for the Fiji Sugar Corporation Labasa Mill.
“Transitioning from a chalk to a cane knife was not easy,” Ms. Singh said. She noted that moving from the classroom to the farm and working in various weather conditions poses its challenges. Acquiring land and obtaining necessary consents from landowners for lease renewals also added to the difficulty.
She has found that farming helps keep her healthy and encourages other mothers who have lost jobs or are facing challenges to maintain hope. Ms. Singh expressed gratitude for her son, an engineer, who supports her endeavors by purchasing a tractor.
She learned the nuances of sugarcane farming from her husband while supporting his retirement plans. “I thank God for blessing me with a supportive husband and son, which has made my life easier,” she shared.
Looking ahead, she plans to incorporate mechanization into her farming operations. Last Friday, she was among the 58 recipients who received a government grant at the Sugar Cane Growers Fund office in Labasa for the renewal of land leases.