Hardwork and perseverance pays off for Renuka

Text and picture U.H. Ranil Kumara, Rakwana Group Corr

W. Renuka Rathnakanthi, a mother of two is a woman who has pursued her dream.

Hailinng from Dambawinna in the Pallebedda area she maintains two self employment projects in her home garden apart from attending to her daily household chores.

Mushroom cultivation and horticulture is her forte, two things that are very close to her heart.

Rathnakanthi paying tribute to her husband Sunil Wijeratne who is an Assistant Officer of Agrarian Research Produce said that he conducts training programmes in cultivation and agriculture and this inspired and encouraged her to take to home gardening.

"I started with growing flowers and made a good profit selling Anthuriums. The "by colour" anthurium sells for Rs. 200 while 'the 'Long Tail" and "Pink Pearls" varieties fetch Rs. 75 and Rs. 200 respectively, she said.

"I always use carbonic and avoid chemical fertiliser which not only does the environment a world of good but helps me save around Rs. 6000."

"I later took to mushroom cultivation and get a harvest of about 10 kilogrammes daily. This generates a daily income of Rs. 1500", she said. "I enjoy mushroom cultivation and do it as a hobby.

My husband and children help me a lot. We work as a team and enjoy doing what we do, while making profits. perseverance and hard work always pays off", she said.