Hamida Bano, 48, of Tikilo in Seaqaqa believes that farming is not only for men but for women too.

The mother of four applied for the Northern Development Programme (NDP) grant in 2017.

In the same year she received $8000 as grant and $3000 as loan from a bank, total amounting to $11000 which she invested in the business.

Ms Bano had used the money to buy fence, water tank and piping system to start her livestock farming.

“I believe that women can also do farming if they are willing to work hard because we can do anything if we are willing,” Ms Bano said.

“I was in livestock farming before but with the help of NDP grant it boosted me to do more. Now we have a goat shed and we have fenced the area so that the goats don’t go astray.”

Ms Bano plans to expand her livestock business.

“The profit I get I pay the labours and expenses for the house,” she said.

“I thank the Government for coming up with the idea of the grant because it has helped me a lot. I look after my livestock whereas my husband looks after his sugarcane farm.”

Ms Bano urges men to do their best in whatever task they are doing because they will reap what they sow.

NDP is a Government-funded programme given to improve the livelihood of the people in the Northern Division.

Edited by Mohammed Zulfikar

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