DESPITE facing challenges, Babita Kumar remains resilient.
The Nadi resident left her work as a preschool teacher to focus on a hobby she loved dearly. Today, she works as a florist, a profession she has enjoyed for over 20 years.
“I love flowers, so I started planting them,” she said. “I also sell vegetable seedlings.”
“I have a wide range of anthuriums, orchids, vegetable seedlings, and palm trees, and I sell them at McDonald’s in Nadi every Saturday.”
Ms Kumar also participates in flower shows in the Jetset Town.
“Whenever I have the opportunity, such as the recent agriculture show in Nadi, I showcase my talents, and I am not only a planter, but also a florist. I do flower bouquets, wreaths, and make flower arrangements.
According to Ms Kumar, flowers are not just her passion but a steady source of income.
“I was a pre-school teacher at a Methodist Church-run kindergarten on Kennedy Avenue in Nadi at a time when my children were young. They were all in school, so it was very hard for me to work and pick them up from school.
“So, I left that job as a pre-school teacher and started planting flowers.”
Ms Kumar said she sold her plants for $2, $5, and $10 a pot. Roses sell between $10 and $15.
One of her biggest challenges was the Western weather and climate
“Being a Western florist is difficult. We often face cyclones, we have droughts, we have heavy rain, and we have floods. I have been living on Raniga St in Nadi Town. It has a flooding problem that has a negative effect on my plants.”
Despite the challenges she encounters, Ms Kumar said those moments taught her to become resilient.
“Three times, we had floods, but I started again … now my business is flourishing. I have been in the flower arrangement industry for more than 20 years.”
“I also sell flowers and pot-plants from home, and I supply flowers to hotels too.”
Ms Kumar said she was blessed to participate in this year’s agriculture show.
“We are excited that the National Agriculture Show was in Nadi because it was held in Suva most of the time. It’s a good opportunity for Western farmers because we are also the backbone of the country.”
Her advice to those who want to become a florist is to start small.
“You can always start small. Get a table in the market and plant a few plants, then slowly grow from there.
Babita Kumar with a variety of orchids on display during the National Agriculture Show at Koroivolu Park, Nadi. Picture: BALJEET SINGH
