KOTA KINABALU: Lofina Justin Jumin not only enjoyed her retirement surrounded by her grandchild, but she also was able to reap the benefits of growing vegetables in her own backyard in Kampung Kolopis, Penampang.
“The best part about retirement is I got to spend time with my cucu, while tending to my small business. I grow vegetables. A special vegetable you make to a very delicious salad,” she said when contacted today.
Lofina, 62, is a former government official who ventured into agricultural entrepreneurship after retiring a few years ago.
Today (March 10) together with millions of women in the world, she celebrates the Intenational Women’s Day 2026 with the theme of ‘Honouring Women, Strengthening the Nation’ with joy.
She shared how proud she was with her life journey despite facing various challenges.
“Every year we celebrate women’s day to honour women around the world and to recognized their contribution to the world.
“This theme also reminds me of my father, who raised me and my siblings to truly believe in equality. Even though I am a girl, he never saw me as any less capable than anyone else.
“Despite coming from a poor family, my father always prioritised education and made sure that every one of his children had the same opportunity to learn and succeed.
“Even today, we sometimes encounter gender-biased views in the workplace, but I am grateful that my father instilled in us the values of fairness and equality. He was truly a forward-thinking man, someone who believed in empowering his daughters long before it became widely spoken about,” she said.
Lofina grew up in a rural village where life was not always easy for her. As a child and like many others, she helped her parents plant rice and work in the fields. Sometimes food was limited and the family relied on what they could grow themselves.
“I still remember going out in the evenings to pick tapioca leaves so that we could cook them for dinner. That experience taught me resilience and an appreciation for the value of food and agriculture.
“Many years later, after graduating, I worked as a civil servant. Although I was committed to my career, a part of me always wanted to do agricultural work,” she added.
Now that she has retired, Lofina has finally had the opportunity to return to that passion and reconnect with the roots that shaped her life as a farmer, especially in growing vegetables.
After retiring, I started growing vegetables around the house for our family to use. Slowly, it grew into something more meaningful. It was not only a hobby but also a small business and a way to stay active and share fresh produce with others.
“I am also very encouraged by the government’s initiative “Kebun Tepi Rumah” which encourages families to grow their own food.
This shows how small businesses like gardening can contribute to healthy living, sustainability and food security for our community,” she explained.
Lofina is running a vegetable-growing business around her home and is now reaping the rewards.
She said that being a modern farmer is not always easy. Farming also depends a lot on nature.
Recently she said her vegetable-growing area experienced major flooding in Penampang, which affected many of her farming sites in Kampung Kolopis
“But challenges like this also teach patience, resilience and the importance of continuing to work hard and adapt.
“As a small entrepreneur, I have a big plan for my business. I hope to inspire other women not to be afraid to start small. Whether it’s gardening, starting a small business or learning a new skill, every step builds confidence and independence.”
“Just like planting a seed, empowerment takes time, care and patience. But when women are given support and opportunities, they can become strong and make meaningful changes in their families and communities,” she added.
