Picture: MoA Staff and participants of the Women in Floriculture Training in Taveuni.

Fifty women on the Garden Island were recently empowered with a floriculture training that allowed them to gain new skills to assist in improving their livelihoods. The training was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Helena Tafunai, 21, a participant from Udukacu settlement on Taveuni said floriculture had not always been her interest, but the training had set a different course for her.

“At first, I really had no idea what to expect during the training but later on, I learned not just about cut flowers but also women empowered in farming,” she said.

“Flower arrangements were usually my mother’s interest but through the training I am able to know the basics of flower arrangement right to the final touch. There is more to flowers than just growing them and making a living out of it. It’s also motivated me to venture into this enterprise.”

Peniana Bale, 69, a florist said her plants were only used for social obligations and home beautification. But the training taught her about flower arrangements and the importance of different flowers.

Agriculture Officer (Taveuni) Perina Susu said the interest was initiated by the women as a means of improving sustainable livelihood and generating income in Taveuni.

In addition, she said empowering women through agriculture was important to the Ministry.

 “This training is to particularly empower women on Taveuni on the importance of the floriculture industry, including learning the skills of flower arrangement and to treat farming as a business,” she said.

Ms Susu explained the potential of floriculture had not been exploited enough on the Garden Island and the Ministry was working on highlighting its importance to the participants through the training. 

“Taveuni contributes highly to the production of dalo and yaqona yet there is not enough employment opportunities for women on the island. Floriculture can generate income, elevate standards of living, develop both flower planting and arrangement skills,” she said.

“There are talents in these women that need to be exposed. We try to get them away from the traditional idea of planting flowers only for home decoration but to raise it to another standard of productivity. Flower arrangement is a unique trade.”

The six days floriculture training was held in Somosomo for 50 women from the Districts of Wainikeli and Cakaudrove.

The training targeted rural women with the aim to improve their status in and out of the home with available resources for floriculture and farming.

The Ministry will be conducting similar floriculture trainings to women groups in Fiji.

ENDS.

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