RICE FARMER CARRIES LEGACY OF LATE FATHER

Moreen Asheehy Ram is a 35-year-old woman living in Muanidevo, Dreketi in the Macuata Province.

Married with one daughter, Ms Ram is a full time farmer and has been investing her time and energy in rice farming.

Born and raised in a farming family, Ms Ram was always intrigued with farming and believes that if her parents could pay for their educational expenses and put three meals a day on the table, then she would do the same.

Being the youngest of four siblings, Ms Ram recalls that she would always follow her parents around and loved spending time with them on the farm.

“It was important for me to learn what they were doing on a daily basis because I knew that food they were growing, ended up on our table and we always had healthy and nutritious meals,” she smiled.

"I am forever indebted to my late father for teaching me the most basic tool for survival, and that is to grown my own food."

“I am grateful for the upbringing and now that I am farming on a full time basis, I have put my heart and soul into it because I know that my family depends on me for their healthy and nutritious meals.”

With eight acres of rice farm, her days are never bored.

“I wake up at 3am every morning to prepare breakfast for my mother and daughter. After that, I am off to the rice farm where I spend the majority of my day tending to the crops. I love being outside, surrounded by the land that nourishes us,” Ms. Ram explained.

Her routine is a mix of hard work and deep connection to her heritage.

“Every season brings new challenges, but I’ve learned to adapt. I use sustainable farming practices to ensure that the soil remains healthy and productive for years to come,” she added proudly.

Ms. Ram’s dedication extends beyond her farm. She often shares her knowledge with other local farmers, believing that collaboration can strengthen their community.

“We have to support each other. If one of us succeeds, it uplifts us all,” she said.

In addition to farming, Ms. Ram also enjoys teaching her daughter about the importance of agriculture.

“I want her to appreciate where our food comes from and understand the effort that goes into growing it,” she shared. They often work side by side, planting seeds or harvesting together, creating memories that Ms. Ram cherishes deeply.

Evenings are reserved for family time, where they gather to enjoy meals made from the rice she has cultivated. “There’s nothing more fulfilling than sitting down together, knowing that we’ve grown our own food,” she said with a content smile.

Looking ahead, Ms. Ram dreams of expanding her farm and possibly introducing new crops. “I want to keep learning and growing, not just for my family, but for the future of our community,” she stated.

Ms Ram feels immense gratitude for her husband, Pranish Chand, whose unwavering support is a cornerstone of her farming journey.

“He works in Labasa but makes it home every weekend, always lending a hand on the farm whenever he can,” she shares with a warm smile.

Additionally, Ms. Ram appreciates the valuable assistance and guidance she receives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways as their regular visits have significantly enhanced her understanding of rice farming, allowing her to implement best practices and improve her crop yields.

“Their support has been instrumental in my growth as a farmer,” she says, reflecting on the positive impact of these collaborations on her work and community.

She also thanked Fiji Rice Limited for their continuous support towards rice farmers.

"We are quite happy that the Coalition Government had agreed for rice prices to increase from $800 per tonne to $1000 per tonne," she smiled.

She believes that with the increase in price, more farmers will utilise their land for rice farming.

Her passion and commitment shines through in everything she does, as she continues to weave the story of her family’s farming legacy into the fabric of her life.

ENDS

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