Shirley Katuuo (37) from Gobabis has successfully turned a business idea into a growing poultry enterprise.
Katuoo, who started with 30 chickens last year, now has more than 100 chickens laying eggs in her backyard.
With a diploma in accounting from the University of Namibia she says her business was inspired by the high unemployment rate.
“I decided to start poultry farming because I’ve been looking for a job since 2014. I am continuing to study with some of the money from the business.
“I pay my tuition fees, buy food at home, and cater for my siblings,” Katuoo says.
She is currently studying education.
She says she visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in 2022 for assistance and was among a successful few to benefit from one of the ministry’s schemes
“The ministry had a scheme involving that they pay you 60% of the cost of your start-up, and you contribute 40%.
“They assisted me, and I bought my 30 chickens from a friend, and here I am today,” she says.
“I now supply eggs to small tuck shops and neighbours and it’s a good feeling.”
Katuoo says she gets up early every day to feed her chickens and clean their coop.
Despite her business growing, she says she needs proper shelter for her business as it’s hard to keep her chickens during the rainy season.
“Challenges will always be there, but the only issue I have is the need for proper infrastructure,”she says.
Katuoo says women should venture into any business they dream of, because success is possible.
“We should learn to start with something small until it grows.
“One thing I have learnt as a farmer is to never give up, because it pays off,” she says.
Neighbour Emilia Salom says it is convenient to have small businesses, such as that of Katuuo’s around.
“We don’t take taxis to shops any more, it’s like a whole shop brought to us. For breakfast you can just cross the road and buy eggs,” she says.
Salom says it would be great if her neighbour could have access to more space, since her chickens are increasing.
SUPPORT
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Jona Musheko says the ministry assists upcoming farmers through a national horticulture support programme and horticulture value chain development scheme.
“The government will provide a 50% subsidy for horticulture seeds and plant pesticides, or a 60% subsidy on fertiliser,” he says.
Musheko says during the 2023/24 financial year the project aims to benefit 1 500 small-scale horticulture producers with an average production size of 0,1ha to 0,5ha through subsidies and technical support.
He says this project supports poultry starters and horticulture home gardens and has received a budget of N$9,5 million for the provision of subsidies, as well as for procurement.
Musheko says the ministry will oversee the implementation of projects in the regions together with regional councils.
He says this budget has been allocated to all 14 regions for the processing of subsidies.
“Beneficiaries should be Namibian citizens, and preference will be given to women and youths, as well as full-time farmers,” he says.
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