Mother-TurnedEntrepreneur Named Best Young Female Farmer
Moreen Ram receives top honours from the President, inspiring women to pursue rice farming.
Monday 14 October 2024 | 14:02
Moreen Ram (wearing green tee-shirt), 35, is 2023 best young farmer (female), with President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere, in Labasa on October 12, 2024. Photo: Sampras Anand
A mother-turned-entrepreneur and rice farmer, Moreen Ram, was awarded Best Young Farmer of the Year (Female) at the Fiji Rice Limited (FRL) 2023 President's Farmers Award ceremony in Labasa yesterday.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the 35-yea r -old received her award from the President of Fiji, Ratu Wiliame Katonivere.
Ms Ram expressed immense pride in her achievement and encouraged more women to pursue rice farming as a viable business.
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Residing in Muanidevo, Dreketi, she has spent the past seven years building her rice farming business with the full support of her husband.
"My husband is a civil servant, but he always finds time to help me with the farm," she said.
Family legacy in rice farming
When asked what motivated her to enter the industry, Ms Ram shared she came from a family with a long history in rice farming.
"We've always had a background in rice farming," she said, indicating the knowledge was passed down from her parents.
With the new season set to begin in November, Ms Ram aims to harvest seven tonnes of rice paddy.
She acknowledged that drainage challenges and access to a harvester had previously hindered production.
However, those issues are now resolved through a cooperative arrangement.
"I'm part of a rice farming cooperative, where we farmers take turns using the harvester," she said.
(From left) Rice farmer Rishi Ram receives his best farmer of the year (male) award from President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere in Labasa, on October 12, 2024. To the right is First Lady, Adi Filomena Katonivere. Photo: Sampras Anand
A profitable venture
Ms Ram described rice farming as a profitable business, noting that a price increase last December from $850 to $1000 per tonne motivated farmers to remain in the industry.
She also plans to apply for planting and weedicide subsidies to further improve her farming operations.
Encouraging other women to explore rice farming, Ms Ram said: "It may seem difficult, but nothing is impossible if you are determined."
Her goal is clear: "We women can achieve anything, but we must stay committed to our goals. My aim is to one day become the best farmer in Fiji."
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
