Shayama Kumari has had to fight more battles than most to start her poultry business.

She has lived in Naitonitoni, Navua, for all the 54 years of her life. In 2015, at the time she was fully dependent on her lumberjack husband, Ms Kumari felt like she wanted more from life. The couple does not have children.

Along came the $1000 Micro and Small Business Grant (MSBG) in which the stay-at-home wife saw an opportunity.

“I was always very fond of keeping chickens and ducks. When I heard the news about the grant, I just had to apply,” Ms Kumari said.

In her first purchase, she bought 36 chicks and material for a chicken shed. Once the chicks grew to a suitable size, she sold them for $20-$25 each.

“I do business batch-by-batch, meaning I raise one set of chickens and sell them off before I purchase a new roost,” she said.

Ms Kumari said the grant had been a saving grace. She would urge other people to apply, especially the poor.

With savings from her income so far, Ms Kumari plans to increase her roost to 60 chickens. Eventually, she wants to purchase goats and break into rearing livestock.

“I have started small but would like to grow in a bigger way in the future,” Ms Kumari said.

“If my business does get bigger then maybe I can even start creating jobs. But for now I am very happy.”

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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