Grant Assists Shafin To Raise 150 Heads Of Livestock
“I have never regretted leaving my job and getting into farming. I know what I am doing and the profit I am getting out of it,” he said.
Seaqaqa farmer Mohammed Shafin never regretted his decision to venture into farming.
He is 24 and plans to expand his business in the near future.
He is one of the Northern Development Programme (NDP) grant recipients.
NDP is a government funded programme given to improve the livelihood of the people in the Northern division.
“I received my NDP grant in 2016 and have continued to improve my livestock farming. I have hired three labourers,” Mr Shafin said.
“Through the grant I bought solar electric fence, barb wires and nails. I received $9,816,50 and got a loan of $28,000 from a bank.”
Mr Shafin said with the help of solar electric fences, the risk of his livestock getting out of the fenced areas in his 95-acre farm was very low.
“Now I am raising 90 cattle, 40 goats and 20 sheep. I have never regretted leaving my job and getting into farming. I know what I am doing and the profit I am getting out of it,” he said.
“I am enjoying myself as a young farmer because I am my own boss. The main challenge I face as a farmer is when there is a drought.
“I attended the NDP workshop before getting the grant. My farm is 95 acres of land and I plan to expand it in the future. I plan to increase my sheep production and start milking cows to sell.”
Mr Shafin’s parents were supportive when he decided to venture into farming. He thanked the programme for their assistance through the grants.
Edited by Rusiate Mataika
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