These young women are redefining who belongs in agriculture

'Everyone in my family are doctors': Why this student chose agriculture Sun 9 Aug 2026 at 5:10am When Lalita Roopnarinesingh made the decision to pursue a degree in agriculture, it came as a surprise to many. The University of Queensland student comes from a family of doctors, lawyers and accountants. "I have no agricultural background whatsoever,"she said. "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." But the Rockhampton Grammar graduate is now studying a dual degree in Agriculture and Agricultural Science at UQ's Gatton campus, after discovering a passion for the industry while still at school. The class that sparked a career Ms Roopnarinesingh said her agricultural journey began when she selected agricultural science as an elective in year 8. "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," she said. The experience opened her eyes to an industry she had never previously considered. She later took part in CQUniversity's GrowHer program, which encourages regional Queensland girls to explore careers in agriculture, with a particular focus on agricultural technology. "The GrowHer program showed me the tech side of things, which I didn't know existed," she said. "And I was like, maybe there is an opportunity for me in agricultural technology." GrowHer coordinator Jaime Manning said one of the biggest misconceptions about agriculture was that people needed to grow up on a farm. "I think there's this misconception that you need to know someone in agriculture to have a job in agriculture," Dr Manning said. "Gone are the days where everyone has a connection." The GrowHer program brings together high school girls from across regional Queensland to work on real agricultural challenges and meet industry mentors from a range of backgrounds. This year's program focused on food waste, with students developing AgTech solutions and hearing from entrepreneurs including Sunshine Coast business owner Sam Musson. Dr Manning said exposing students to different career pathways was critical, particularly for schools where agriculture was not offered as part of the curriculum. "It doesn't matter what their skills or their interests are,"she said. "There's so many different opportunities in agriculture that they could tap into." More than farming It's forecast that over the next 10 years one in three new jobs in agriculture will be technology-related. Dr Manning said the sector increasingly needed people with diverse skills, from coding and design to engineering, marketing and business. "We know technology has a really big role to play in agriculture, but with technology we also need that human side," she said. The message resonated with students attending this year's workshop day in Longreach, many of whom were exploring career options for the first time. Among them were Cloncurry sisters Amelia and Chloe Robertson, who said meeting women already working in agriculture helped make those careers feel more attainable. Year 9 student Amelia is interested in agricultural business and hoped it would allow her to build a career while remaining in regional Queensland. "I like living in rural towns just because that's what I'm used to,"Amelia said. "I've lived in Cloncurry all my life. If I could do online business, or even at a place like this, I could study online and stay somewhere rural." Amelia's older sister Chloe shares that dream of a career in ag, but the siblings feel differently about where they're hoping their post-school studies may take them. "I want to get out to see the world," said the Year 11 student. "I want to get into veterinary science, but eventually I want to start my own business,"Chloe said. "Even living somewhere like Longreach would be good for me, and doing distance ed there. Wagga Wagga has a really nice school or even trying uni life," said Amelia. "I'm interested in JCU and possibly Gatton or Toowoomba, but that is a long way [away]," she said. Supporting the next generation The GrowHer workshop also connected the participants with local mentors already working across the agriculture sector, including primary producers, extension officers, rural bankers and vets. Dr Manning said helping young people connect with people already working in the ag sector was one of the program's biggest strengths. "It is intimidating, and it can be hard to go, who can I ask those questions with? What was their journey?" she said. "Giving those students lots of ideas and possibilities of what could be next for them." For Ms Roopnarinesingh, the message is simple: you don't need to come from a farming family to find your place in agriculture. A single elective subject in high school was enough to change the direction of her future. Watch ABC TV's Landline at 12:30pm AEST on Sunday or stream anytime on ABC iview.