Buy A Yaqona Plant As A Christmas Gift
Give this Christmas a special gift which works in many ways says Vasiti Rasomo.
The mother of two who hopes to complete her Diploma in Forestry at the Fiji National University soon is at the Labasa Market selling potted yaqona plants.
The 25-year-old of Naikelikoso Village in Macuata Province sells two months old of yaqona pot plants for $10 each.
“This is more than just a Christmas present because apart from it being an investment it also good for the environment,” Ms Rasomo said.
“These plants can be transplanted onto somewhere appropriate, in five years a plant can be sold at a minimum cost of $600, with the cost of dried yaqona now it can be more,” she said.
“With climate change, these plants assist in purifying air.
“My husband stays at the farm planting yaqona while I sell at the market from Mondays to Saturdays.
“We have been doing this business for two years and we are very happy because we get good returns out of it.
“Life isn’t easy for us because we have kids to look after, manage life around the house and then me trying to finish my Diploma in Forestry.
“We give thanks to God for giving us strength and understanding on how to run a business and manage family life.”
Ms Rasomo sells seven to ten pot plants and this picks up towards the end of the week and now when Christmas is near.
She was able to sell one hundred potted yaqona plants last week.
“That is my target because I want to save some money to buy Christmas gifts for my children,” she said.
She aspires to become a forestry officer.
Feedback: shratika.naidu@fijisun.com.fj
