Meet Misau young ladies who make fortune selling vegetables
For many young ladies in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi, selling vegetables is no longer a past time business. It is now a source of income used to sustain their respective families.
It is even more important as a source of income for many families in the ancient town as the COVID-19 pandemic eats deep into many families’ meager income.
What the young ladies do is to buy various types of vegetables from irrigation farms just on the outskirts of the town and sell them to consumers in Misau town.
For many, this daily job assists in paying for their schooling, supporting their parents, and saving for future.
Seventeen-year-old Asmau Muhammed Ahmed told North East Trust that she had spent over four years in the business. She said depending on the season and availability of the vegetables she has been able to, for many years, maintain a string of customers whom she supplies.
Asmau said that she has been dealing in different types of vegetables like tomatoes, spinach, moringa, roselle, onions among others.
“I buy a portion of spinach at N150 and sell for between N250 to N300. On a daily basis, I make a profit of between N300 and N500.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we used to have less profit because we go to schools and have little time for the business but with the schools closed, we spend most of the time selling vegetables.
“We normally have arrangements with the farmers who sell to us at wholesale price and we, in turn, sell at affordable prices, which have kept our business going smoothly without challenges.
“This has also helped us to keep our customers for all these years and Alhamdulillah, majority of our customers also maintain the relationship”.
“I have made a lot benefits from vegetable business and I feel fulfilled. I was able to buy so many things including text books, exercise books, paying the PTA fees in school and other daily needs to assist my parents.
“I am planning to broaden the scope of the business to become an entrepreneur because of the economic realities in the country.
“Last year I bought a goat and luckily it gave birth to two goats and I want to start raising livestock to boost my personal revenue. I want to grow with a means of livilihood for myself that will help me achieve my goals of having sound education and a stable business,” Asmau said.
Zainab Muhammad Sani, 16, said that she has spent five years in the vegetable business.
“In a day I buy three to four portions, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic when all the schools are closed.”
“I am in JSS 2 in Government Day Secondary School in Misau. We buy the vegetables and sometimes, with fruits and go from house to house selling them.
“We have a stable market. Our customers include housewives and food vendors who cook and sell food at local restaurant or from their homes.”
She said she used to save her profit with her mother and help in purchasing items for her family.
She uses the money to buy new clothes especially during festive period like Sallah or ceremonies for the family. “Already my mother has bought a goat for as a way of generating additional income.
“I am happy doing this business because apart from making profits, it has widened my horizons about planning, earning and saving for the rainy day. I want to continue this business to help my future endeavours because I don’t want to depend on anyone for my daily needs,” Zainab said.