Sadha Lata Singh, 58, has no regrets about transitioning from a secondary school teacher and lecturer to a sugarcane farmer. Ms. Singh taught for 24 years before joining the Technical College of Fiji (TCF) in 2015. However, when TCF closed in 2020, she had to explore a new career path.
Inspired by her husband, Indar Deo, 65, who owns a 13.5-acre sugarcane farm and is a retired police officer, she acquired 10 acres of land in Wailevu, Labasa, in 2020. She began rice farming in 2022 before switching to sugarcane farming last year. So far this year, she has harvested 90 tonnes of sugarcane for the Fiji Sugar Corporation Labasa Mill.
“It wasn’t easy to move from holding a chalk to a pen and then a cane knife,” she reflected. “Transitioning from a classroom to a farm and working in the sun and rain is challenging. It’s also difficult to secure land and get consent from landowners to renew leases.”
Ms. Singh noted that working on the farm has kept her healthy. “I encourage mothers who have lost their jobs or are struggling to never lose hope. I am fortunate to have a supportive son who is an engineer and helps my business by purchasing a tractor,” she said.
She learned about sugarcane farming from her husband as part of supporting his retirement plan. “I am grateful for a supportive husband and son, which has made my life easier,” she added.
Looking ahead, she plans to adopt mechanization in her farming practices. Recently, she was among 58 recipients who received a grant from the government at the Sugar Cane Growers Fund office in Labasa, aimed at renewing land leases.