A 28-year-old unemployed mother was among the last few people to apply for nursery kit assistance online.

Rosia Karalaini of Namoli Village, Labasa thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for its consideration.

“After getting married to a yaqona farmer we were able to buy a car and a piece of land,” Ms Karalaini said.

“The successful life of a farmer changed my perception and two years back I decided to do backyard gardening.”

The mother-of-two children plants vegetables, fruits and root crops.

She sells her produce at Labasa market and sometimes to villagers.

“Although I completed my Year 13 at Labasa Sangam College I wanted to do something different,” she said.

“I earn enough income from my sales at the market to buy groceries.”

She is advising unemployed women to invest into backyard gardening as it promotes good health and an easy way to earn income.

Minister Mahendra Reddy encouraged her to expand into commercial farming and advised her to use the materials given wisely.