Jasnita Ali, a 32-year-old backyard gardener, is planning to expand her hydroponic farm into a commercial venture following the receipt of a $5,000 grant last week. The Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) program awarded Ali the grant during a ceremony at the Hilton Fiji Resort on Denarau on Wednesday.
Ali expressed her intentions to utilize the funds to enhance her business by acquiring additional materials to expand her farm’s infrastructure. “We aim to produce fresh, organic, chemical and pesticide-free vegetables and offer them to consumers at a significantly lower cost than current market prices,” she stated.
Her business, Nature’s Farm Fresh Supplies (NFFS), is a small-scale hydroponics operation based in Chinakoti, Ba. She launched the business in September 2022 in her backyard after recognizing the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region.
Ali emphasizes the importance of healthy eating habits for improving overall lifestyles. NFFS employs the Dutch Bucket System in conjunction with a Deep Flow Technique (DFT) hydroponics system to cultivate crops on a quarter-acre of land.
“We implement innovative technologies, such as the automated dosing system from Bluelab, to enhance our operations,” she noted. The mother of one added that this hydroponic setup allows for the year-round cultivation of a variety of fresh, healthy, and chemical-free vegetables.
In addition to promoting environmental sustainability, Ali’s business focuses on inclusivity by employing individuals with disabilities, members of LGBTIQ communities, and unemployed youth.
Reflecting on her experience as a traditional farmer, Ali shared the challenges she faced in crop production during flooding and droughts. She highlighted that the hydroponic system mitigates these climate-related issues, enabling her to grow diverse vegetables without weather concerns.
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