Makoi Women’s Vocational Training Centre has in­troduced a method of growing plants in water-based, nu­trient rich solution known as the hydroponics system.

The project started in January 15, 2018 and has attracted 15 women.

The hydroponics method does not use soil. Instead the root system is supported using an inert medium.

Fiji Muslim League national pres­ident Hafizud Dean Khan said the new system could be developed as a source of income for the women.

“The women all learn from stages of seedling, re-planting it in the system, they make their own start­er kit, and also plants in bottles,” he said.

“They also learn how to develop organic fertiliser by using local ma­terials like nasi basi (spoiled rice), seaweeds and banana stem ferti­liser.

“They also find and develop local manure such as: coconut husk, co­copeat, sand, gravel, and compost.

“Our hydroponics class is also open to other women who want to learn hydroponics farming as we are promoting urban farming con­cepts.

“We found hydroponics is an ef­fective solution to poverty as well as to develop a healthy community in the future.

“This entire project provides vo­cational training for marginalised women, allowing them to rise out of poverty and provide basic needs for their families.

“When women are empowered, they immeasurably improve the lives of everyone around them—their families, their communities, and their countries.’’

Participant Imarina Rosemary, 30, said she had learnt a lot when she joined the institute.

“Things that I did not know before, I have learnt here,’’ he said.

“I’m thankful to the management of the school for giving us, the under-privileged women, another chance to learn new things which we could use as our source of in­come.”

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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