From 90 to 600 tonnes on Arun Lata’s Cane Joy
Ishe t was triple joy for a mother of four as
was recognised for her contribution towards the sugar industry on Saturday. Arun Lata, 49, not only got her letter of offer for lease renewal, she also received recognition as the highest producing grower- female and most inspiration grower.
The Bulivou Sector farmer of Seaqaqa said she has been offered another 50 years of lease.
As tears of joy streamed, she looked back how she has reached the pinnacle of life.
Struggles
With her husband, she and the children had to cut cane, borrow trucks from others farmers to transport cane to the mill. “I started with producing 90 tonnes of sugar cane and today I am producing 600 tonnes,” Ms Lata said.
“I started sugar cane farming in 2011. Through a loan I bought a land for $14,000. I borrowed a tractor from one of my brothers, who helped me toil the land.Couple of years ago I had nothing. “We were very poor, the children were small and we didn’t have money to hire labourers.
“Now I have educated my children, have our own house, a truck,” Ms Lata said.
“Now with the help of three labourers, me and my husband, we are harvesting cane, as we are not in the cooperative with the mechanical harvester. “Next year, we are planning to be in the co-operative, once we have paid the subscription to join the co-operative.
“We had very difficult times, struggled a lot, worked in the farm day and night, and in doing this I have reached this place.
“My brother Joseva Denesi, 56, has been with us from the start and he used his tractor in our farm.
“He has done a lot for our family.”
Hardwork
The Tikilo Seaqaqa native said she has worked very hard to be where she is now. “I endured a lot of pain and struggled to put food on the table. My husband has been very supportive and we have managed to educate my elder daughter who is a teacher.
“My second eldest daughter works for Ministry of Agriculture, my son is in vocational school and the youngest daughter is in Year 13 at Seaqaqa Central College.”
Success story
Ms Lata said days for her and the family has changed as they have proper electricity and water supply, all thanks to the Government of the day.
“My children studied in kerosene lamps and never let our poverty hinder my children’s education.”
She said women in Fiji should be brave and hardworking and willing to face challenges that appear in life.
“I came through lot of negative criticism, but what I was doing, is benefitting me now and my family.”
She has urged women in Fiji not to be cowards, but to face the demons, because without struggle there is no future. “Don’t demand, don’t beg, work for your future. Don’t run away from your homes because there is struggle.
“I am 49-years-old and still cutting and loading cane,” the most inspirational grower said.
Ms Lata said she is planning to plant more sugar cane, buy a tractor with farming implements.
“I will seek help from Fiji Sugar Corporation to increase yield for sugar cane.”