Beneficiary: . Zuwaira Baba Saleh
FAMRIZ General Enterprise is a woman-led WSME (Women Small and Medium Enterprise) operating in the poultry farming sector in Kano State, Nigeria. Founded in 2001 by Mrs. Zuwaira Baba Saleh, the enterprise started with humble beginnings in the garage space of their home, housing just 100 birds and employing a single staff member. Over the years, through resilience, dedication, and strategic partnerships, FAMRIZ has grown into a thriving business, demonstrating remarkable success and potential for further expansion.
In 2022, FAMRIZ received its first significant financial support through the BRAVE (Business Resilience Assistance for Value-Added Enterprises) Women Nigeria matching grant. This support was instrumental in propelling the enterprise to new heights. With the grant, FAMRIZ expanded its operations by renting a larger space capable of accommodating an additional 500 birds. Concurrently, the original 100-bird capacity was optimized, resulting in a total poultry population of 1000 birds.
The BRAVE Women Nigeria project not only provided financial assistance but also extended invaluable handholding support through their Business Development Support Officers (BDSOs) and Business Clinics. The Business Clinic, delivered quarterly, encompassed comprehensive training sessions on various aspects of business development, equipping FAMRIZ with essential skills and knowledge necessary for sustainable growth.
Following the support from BRAVE Women Nigeria, FAMRIZ witnessed remarkable improvements across various operational metrics. Daily production soared from a modest 1 or 2 crates to an impressive 10 crates. This surge in productivity was accompanied by a revenue increase exceeding 50%, enabling the enterprise to reinvest in its expansion and workforce. Staff capacity expanded to six employees, necessitating the implementation of working shifts to manage the burgeoning workload efficiently.
Despite its achievements, FAMRIZ continues to grapple with challenges, notably the issue of water scarcity. Mrs. Zuwaira Baba Saleh laments, “We buy water every day to feed our birds,” highlighting the critical need for sustainable water solutions. Nonetheless, FAMRIZ remains resolute in its determination to overcome obstacles and realize its ambitious vision for expansion. Mrs. Zuwaira Baba Saleh expresses her aspirations to accommodate up to 5,000 birds or more, leveraging additional grants akin to the BRAVE Women Nigeria matching grant to acquire land and diversify into fish farming and cattle rearing.
FAMRIZ General Enterprise extends heartfelt gratitude to BRAVE Women Nigeria and its dedicated team for their unwavering support throughout the journey. Mrs. Zuwaira Baba Saleh acknowledges, “We are grateful and thankful to BRAVE and its team for all the support through the process,” underscoring the pivotal role played by BRAVE Women Nigeria in catalyzing the enterprise’s growth trajectory and fostering economic empowerment within the community.
The success story of FAMRIZ General Enterprise exemplifies the transformative impact of strategic partnerships and targeted interventions in fostering entrepreneurship and socioeconomic development. Through perseverance, innovation, and collaborative efforts, FAMRIZ has emerged as a beacon of success in the Nigerian poultry farming landscape, poised for continued expansion and prosperity in the years to come.
