Devi Blossoms Through Floriculture

What began as a love for gardening has blossomed into a sustainable source of income for 55-year-old Devi from Votualevu, Nadi.

A dedicated member of the Garden Creation Cluster Group, Devi has transformed her home garden into a small business, growing flowering plants, vegetable seedlings and herbs that she sells at the Nadi Market every Saturday.

“I’ve always loved working with plants,” Devi said. “Now, what started as a hobby has become a way for me to earn an income, support myself and continue doing something I enjoy every day.”

The Garden Creation Cluster Group is a women-led floriculture and small-scale vegetable propagation group that has been empowering women since 2017. Through shared learning, practical training and peer support, members have developed the skills and confidence to establish and grow their own enterprises while strengthening their livelihoods.

With support from Women’s Fund Fiji under the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) thematic area through the Sustainability Grant, Devi has expanded her business beyond selling at local markets. She has recently secured an opportunity to grow and supply herbs to an exporter in Nadi, creating a new and reliable source of income.

“Having a steady buyer for my herbs gives me confidence to keep growing,” she said. “It motivates me to work harder because I know there are more opportunities ahead.”

As the Garden Creation Cluster Group continues to welcome more women, members are also building their knowledge by participating in national events such as the National Agriculture Symposium and collaborating with other organisations and producer groups. These experiences are helping women improve their businesses, access new markets and learn from one another.

For Devi, the journey is about more than growing plants.

“This group has given me confidence, knowledge and encouragement,” she said. “We’ve learned so much from each other, and together we’re creating better opportunities for ourselves and our families.”

Through women-led initiatives like the Garden Creation Cluster Group, Women’s Fund Fiji continues to invest in community-driven solutions that strengthen women’s economic independence and create sustainable livelihoods across Fiji.

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