Transporting livestock and
produce is a crucial aspect of the agri-business industry. Efficient and
reliable transportation systems are essential for getting agricultural products
from farms to markets, processing facilities, and ultimately to consumers.
Reliable transportation networks
provide farmers with access to larger markets, allowing them to sell their
products over a broader geographic area. This can help increase sales and
profits for agricultural businesses.
It is also very important that a smooth
transportation system is crucial for maintaining the value of these
commodities.
In the outskirts of Ba Town, in
the Western Division, two brothers have made a name for themselves in the
livestock industry. Not as farmers but as transporters of animals to designated
areas.
44-year-old Mohammed Imran Khan
and 40-year-old Mohammed Yasir Khan started the Mohammed Khan truck business at
a very young age.
The legacy of hard work and dedication
left behind by their late father was what motivated them to stand on their own
two feet during their teenage years.
“We lost our father in 1992 so we
had to look after our mother and our younger siblings.”
At the age of 16, Mohammed Imran
Khan started a tyre repair shop in Tavua which operated for three years. He was
later joined by his younger brother after he completed high school.
“As the older brother, I knew I
had to take the responsibility of looking after my family so I left school
after form five and decided to start the tyre business in 2002,” he said.
In 2005, they purchased their
first cattle truck which was bought from the savings that they had accumulated
from their tyre repair business.
“That was the birth of the
Mohammed Khan trucks business which is now transporting cattle from farms to
abattoirs,” they smiled.
The duo work hand in hand and
have been helping cattle farmers along Ba, Tavua, Rakiraki, and Lautoka to transport
stock to the Fiji Meats Industry Board (FMIB) abattoirs in Vuda and Davuilevu abattoirs.
Over the years they expanded and
bought more trucks as the demand from livestock farmers along the sun-coast
region increased.
“I noticed that a lot of
livestock farmers around this region have a problem with transportation and I
know that this will certainly be our way of assisting the livestock industry.”
The brothers ventured further
into raising their cattle and selling them to the abattoir.
“We decided to raise our herd and
started with approximately 23 cattle on the piece of land and once they reached
two to three years, they are sold and new ones are grazed,” said Mohammed Imran
Khan.
“But because we are on a
residential lot, we had to cease our cattle rearing but continued with the
cattle loading for farmers,” said Mohammed Imran.
“Apart from the usual Monday
loadings, we also get calls from other farmers on Saturdays to load and
transport to the Vuda abattoir and our service is also available to farmers who
wish to take their stock on other days in the week,” he said.
Charges stand at $150 to the Vuda
abattoir and $500 to Suva, with five workers also at hand to assist in the
loading of animals.
The brothers are now operating
three trucks used for loading cattle and another three separate trucks
operating at the Ba carrier stand for hire to passengers.
In 2016, the company secured a
contract with the Ministry of Agriculture for the loading of stray animals
under ‘Operation Vesu Manumanu’.
“This includes transporting stray
animals caught by the Agriculture Officers to pounds.”
“We are often sad to see animals
get taken due to the negligence of owners. Livestock farmers should follow
instructions to avoid disappointment,” he said.
The services of the company have
also extended to loading of cane to the mill.
“This is our passion now and also
our way of ensuring that farmer's needs are met especially with the transportation
of their animals.
From humble beginnings, the
brothers have soared greatly with perseverance and teamwork managing to build
their home, bought six trucks, and catered for their families from the income
earned in addition to employing members in the surrounding villages.
“When you lose someone you depend
on at a very young age, the urgency to survive will automatically kick in. We
did not reach a good level in our education and we are also challenging others
who dropped out early that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
The brothers hope to expand their
business and purchase more trucks.
“As transporters, this is our way
of being involved in the agricultural sector and we are so grateful to see more
farmers growing their livestock and being involved in growing agriculture in
Fiji. If you have land, please utilise it for sustenance, food security and
income generation.”
-ENDS-