Thanks to a vocational training institute, a 60-year-old retired teacher has expanded her knowledge in hydroponics to earn a living.

Amalaini Kanasalusalu of Naitoni­toni in Navua, was among exhibitors at the Central Division Craft Show at Ratu Sukuna Park yesterday.

The mother of four children and four grandchildren said it was her first time to participate in the craft show and she was thankful for the institution, Makoi Women’s Voca­tional Training Centre to have given her the opportunity.

Hydroponics is a subset of hydro­culture, which is a method of grow­ing plants without soil by using min­eral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

Ms Kanasalusalu was one of the few women who had showcasing hydroponics plants such as Chinese cabbage, mint and wild coriander.

“I gained my interest in hydropon­ics and joined the training centre to learn about the programme start­ing from the seedling, transplanting to the systems and growing of the plants.

“It was all new for me and it came with great techniques which in­spired me to travel daily from Navua to Makoi to learn more and more.

I am looking forward to taking part in the National Women’s Expo later in the year which will give me a bigger platform to showcase the products in the market which is something new and unique,” Ms Kanasalusalu said.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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