From the archive ©FAO/Syrian Arab Republic/Jafaar Merie

Fatima Al-Salameh, a 37-year-old mother from Hussainyah - Deir Ez-Zor governorate, has been working for years in land preparation and harvest activities for neighboring landowners to support her family of nine members, a husband, six daughters and an only son. She always dreamt of starting her business on her own small farm one day – she made it come true! Thanks to FAO’s ‘Nabta’ entrepreneurship programme to develop progressive farmers and agri-preneurs.

Her ambition to apply modern agricultural practices and start up a business was what motivated her to join ‘Nabta’, starting with the business ideation workshops about how to create small agriculture-related projects, and the needed management skills to get them off the ground.

“I’ve always dreamed of having a business and making money to support my family, but I needed to learn how! With Nabta’s intensive training and business topics, I got encouraged to start a business to generate a better income for my family.” Said Fatima.

The result is that Fatima is now working to convert her small thyme farm into one to cultivate a diverse range of specialty crops; in her case, she is planting and producing sunflower seeds and spices together, with thyme.

She attributes her project’s establishment and progress to the technical and financial assistance provided by FAO, through the Smallholder Support Programme: “The funding for the spice grinder and seed roaster I received from FAO saves a considerable amount of time and effort in the production of extra amounts of spices in the future,” said Fatima, who is now looking towards opening a small shop at the farm itself and start selling products to consumers at a competitive price.

Nabta’s business-based training and marketing tips have equipped Fatima with the needed skills to negotiate with traders. She wants to broaden the scope of her project and go beyond Al-Hussainyah village and is already promoting her business among small retailers and traders from other villages for future cooperation. “FAO’s ‘Nabta’ programme has given me all the guidance I need to manage my business from A to Z,”

Fatima is a proof that success can be achieved if investments are made in the right direction where farmers are equipped with knowledge, an understanding of the feasibility and an appreciation of business principles. The ‘Nabta’ programme was the catalyst to inspire her to develop her business and improve her family’s living situation financially.