When Lalita Roopnarinesingh decided to pursue a university degree in agriculture, it raised more than a few eyebrows in her household. Coming from a family dominated by medical professionals, lawyers, and accountants, her career path was entirely unprecedented.

"I have no agricultural background whatsoever," Roopnarinesingh explained. "Everyone in my family are doctors. My two sisters are studying medicine, and both my mum and dad are doctors. So, there was no agriculture in my family at all."

Yet, the Rockhampton Grammar school graduate is now happily pursuing a dual degree in Agriculture and Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland’s Gatton campus, having discovered a deep passion for the land and its technology while still in school.

The Spark That Changed Everything

Roopnarinesingh’s journey began unexpectedly in Year 8 when she selected agricultural science as an elective. "I chose ag science as an elective, and I was just like, wow, I really love this subject and I do want to pursue it," she said.

That single classroom experience opened her eyes to an industry she had never previously considered. Her interest deepened after participating in CQUniversity's GrowHer program, an initiative designed to encourage regional Queensland girls to explore careers in agriculture, with a strong focus on cutting-edge agricultural technology.

"The GrowHer program showed me the tech side of things, which I didn't even know existed," Roopnarinesingh said. "It made me realize there is a massive opportunity for me in agricultural technology."

Dismantling the Farm-Kid Myth

According to GrowHer coordinator Dr. Jaime Manning, one of the biggest hurdles in recruiting fresh talent to the sector is the persistent myth that you must grow up on a farm to work in agriculture.

"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 family connection to the land."

The GrowHer program actively bridges this gap by bringing high school girls from across regional Queensland together to tackle real-world agricultural challenges. This year, the program focused heavily on food waste, tasking students with developing AgTech solutions and introducing them to successful industry mentors and entrepreneurs.

Dr. Manning emphasized that the sector's rapid evolution means there is room for everyone, regardless of their starting point. "It doesn't matter what their skills or interests are. There are so many different opportunities in agriculture that they can tap into."

A High-Tech Frontier

The modern agricultural landscape is shifting rapidly. Industry forecasts suggest that over the next decade, one in three new jobs in agriculture will be directly related to technology. The sector increasingly requires professionals skilled in software development, data analysis, engineering, marketing, and business management.

"We know technology has a massive role to play in agriculture, but alongside that technology, we also need the human side," Dr. Manning added.

This tech-driven, flexible future is highly appealing to students like sisters Amelia and Chloe Robertson from Cloncurry, who attended a recent program workshop in Longreach.

For Year 9 student Amelia, the prospect of studying online and working in agricultural business offers a way to build a professional career without leaving the outback. "I like living in rural towns just because that's what I'm used to," Amelia said. "If I could do online business, I could study online and stay somewhere rural."

Meanwhile, her older sister Chloe, in Year 11, plans to combine veterinary science with entrepreneurship. "I want to get out and see the world, get into veterinary science, and eventually start my own business," Chloe said, eyeing prospective university options at James Cook University and UQ Gatton.

Guiding the Next Generation

By connecting students directly with local mentors—including primary producers, agricultural extension officers, rural bankers, and veterinarians—the program demystifies the industry.

Dr. Manning believes these personal connections are vital for building confidence in young women who might otherwise feel excluded from the agricultural community.

"It can be intimidating, and it can be hard to know who to ask about their career journey," Dr. Manning said. "Our goal is to give these students an abundance of ideas and possibilities for what their futures could look like."

For trailblazers like Roopnarinesingh, the message to other young women is clear: the gate is open. "You don't need to come from a farming family to find your place in agriculture," she said Roopnarinesingh. "A single subject in high school was enough to change the entire direction of my life."