These young women are redefining who belongs in agriculture

Lalita Roopnarinesingh is forging a path in agriculture, a decision that surprised many given her family's strong background in medicine. Coming from a family of doctors, with sisters also studying medicine and parents who are physicians, Roopnarinesingh's choice to pursue a dual degree in Agriculture and Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland marks a significant departure.

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I have no agricultural background whatsoever.

Her journey into the field began unexpectedly in year 8 when she selected agricultural science as an elective. This initial exposure ignited a passion for the subject, leading her to explore the industry further. The CQUniversity GrowHer program played a pivotal role, revealing the technological advancements and diverse opportunities within agricultural technology, an area she hadn't previously considered.

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Everyone in my family are doctors. My two sisters are studying medicine. My mum and dad are doctors. So no agriculture whatsoever in my family.

Jaime Manning, coordinator of the GrowHer program, noted a common misconception that one must grow up on a farm or have existing connections to enter the agriculture sector. The program actively works to dispel this myth by exposing high school girls from regional Queensland to real agricultural challenges and industry mentors from various backgrounds. This year's focus on food waste saw students developing AgTech solutions and interacting with entrepreneurs.

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I chose ag science as an elective in grade 8, and I was like, wow, I really love this subject and I do want to pursue it.

Manning stressed the importance of showcasing the wide array of career paths available in agriculture, especially for students in schools without agriculture programs. She emphasized that diverse skills, from coding and design to engineering and marketing, are increasingly in demand as the sector evolves. Projections indicate that one in three new jobs in agriculture over the next decade will be technology-related, highlighting the sector's growing need for individuals with varied expertise.

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The GrowHer program showed me the tech side of things, which I didn't know existed. And I was like, maybe there is an opportunity for me in agricultural technology.