Sugarcane Growers Fund Honours Female Farmers

Providing equal opportunities for female sugarcane farmers has always been a key part of boosting confidence for women in this industry.

This was the message from the Sugarcane Growers Fund Seaqaqa/Labasa Loans officer, Arvin Chandra, during the celebration of International Women’s Day in Labasa.

Mr Chandra said they always believed in supporting their female farmers with the loan packages they had to stimulate better customer service, regardless of gender.

He said women had played a vital role in supporting their communities either during their harvesting, production and farm management periods.

“During my posting back in 2012, women farmers/owners have increased when compared previously which was a great sign and we try our best to assist them during their application process,” he said.

Sushil Kanta, 53, who owns 18 acres of land in Waiqele, Labasa, said the day commemorated the many sacrifices women made in their various working fields.

Ms Kanta, who grew up in a sugarcane harvesting family, said she had not regretted a single day of her life being a farmer/owner.

“I feel at ease and happy when I am on my farm because this is where I belong and the satisfaction of tilling my land to grow produce,” she said.

Ms Kanta also said the fund provided her financial backing during her hard times and this helped her sustain her farm in the long run.

“I was able to support my children’s education when my harvesting income was low,” she said.

Another farmer, Pramit Kaushal, believed women’s engagement in any industry was a benefit not just for the individual, but for the working sector as well.

Ms Kaushal, who owns a 22-acre farm in Kawakawa, Waiqele, Labasa, said more women were going into farming now and she attributed this to freedom and changing mindset of men and people towards women.

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