For Labasa farmer Aiyaz Buksh, building a brighter future for his family has been a journey shaped by hard work, persistence, and the courage to keep trying. After years of growing his farming operations while facing costly delays from unreliable machinery, support from Business Link Pacific’s Co-Investment Fund (CIF) grant has helped him take a major step forward, investing in a new tractor that is transforming the way his farm operates.
Learning about the BLP CIF grant from Business Assistance Fiji, he drew on lessons from earlier attempts at grant applications, refined his application and applied for the BLP CIF grant. Success!
Reflecting on the journey, Aiyaz shared, “This is the way forward to make your future brighter. Today I am proud to have been considered.”
The perseverance and commitment to secured grant support paid off, enabling him to purchase a tractor to further grow his farm.
Hard work, persistence, and determination have long shaped Aiyaz’s journey. He began his working life at a young age, driving carriers to earn a living. Through long hours on the road and years of discipline, he gradually built his way up and eventually owned his own fleet of vehicles.
Shaping a farming future
While transport provided stability, Aiyaz was always focused on securing a better and more sustainable future for his family. That vision led him into farming, where he saw an opportunity to build something long-term.
Today, Aiyaz operates a diversified agricultural enterprise producing close to 700 tonnes annually. His farming activities include watermelon, cassava, dalo, and rice farming.
Ploughing was one of the most significant challenges affecting his farm, directly impacting efficiency, productivity, and the ability to expand operations.
Through support from Business Link Pacific and its CIF grant, Aiyaz was able to purchase a new Farm Track tractor, an investment that has significantly transformed his farming operations.
Accelerated his operations
“This assistance has really helped me do my farming,” Aiyaz shared. “It has eased the ploughing of land and reduced the time invested in preparing my farm for planting.”
Through the support of the grant, the new tractor has transformed his farming operations. Land preparation is now faster and more efficient, work that once took days is completed in far less time, and costly breakdowns and repairs are no longer a burden, reducing overall expenses and improving productivity.
Due to the existence of the new tractor, farm employees are also seeing positive changes. Modern equipment has made farm work less physically demanding, improved morale, and allowed more work to be completed in less time.
“My workers enjoy farming now,” Aiyaz said. “With new equipment, we can achieve so much more.”
For Aiyaz, the CIF Grant represents more than financial assistance, it is recognition of years of hard work and persistence. He now encourages other MSMEs not to give up when faced with challenges.
“To MSMEs, please don’t get disturbed. Keep trying, just as I did. BLP can assist if you meet the criteria,” Aiyaz advised.
Aiyaz Buksh’s story is a powerful example of how determination, combined with targeted support from BLP’s Co-Investment Fund grant, can create lasting impact for farmers and communities.
In Fiji, MSMEs and entrepreneurs interested in accessing business development support from BLP are encouraged to get in touch with Business Assistance Fiji, which provides guidance, advisory services, and support to help businesses accelerate.
If you are an SME business in the Pacific, you can start your journey with BLP, by self-assessing your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.
The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business’s resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.