Nemai Diloma, a 26-year-old Roving Sector Assistant with the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) in Nadi, is part of a growing number of women taking on key roles in Fiji’s sugarcane industry.
A graduate of Fiji National University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Diloma joined FSC earlier this year and has been working directly with sugarcane growers to support their operations, from planting to harvest.
“I see this role as a wonderful opportunity to put my studies into practice while gaining real-world experience in an industry vital to Fiji’s economy,” she said.
The work is not without its challenges such as language barriers and working in a predominantly male field, but Diloma has persevered. Recently, she led a team of growers through a difficult planting season, completing the work and stepping into a leadership role in the absence of a colleague.
“I love working alongside the growers; each day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn,” Diloma said.
Diloma credits the mentorship and support she has received from FSC and her colleagues for her progress. She is optimistic about the increasing involvement of women in agriculture and sees it as a “ray of hope” for the sector’s future.
“The sugar industry offers opportunities for women, but it demands dedication and a readiness to step out of your comfort zone,” she said.
Photo: Nemai Diloma with Ashok Komaran Gounder of Nawaicoba sector
