Business development support and guidance help young entrepreneurs transform small-scale ventures into growing enterprises

Through its programme to empower young entrepreneurs, the Smallholder Agribusiness and Resilience Project (SARP) is supporting the development of small-scale businesses by providing guidance, business knowledge and access to market opportunities. These interventions are helping entrepreneurs gradually expand their businesses and strengthen their livelihoods.

“Keyara Farm”, established by Ms. S. K. Deepika Damayanthi in the Mawathagama area of Kobeigane, is a successful example of this initiative. Initially, the business started as a small-scale poultry operation with 500 birds. With the support and guidance provided by SARP, it has now grown into a medium-scale enterprise with 3,000 birds.

Implemented with the support of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, SARP has provided Ms. Deepika Damayanthi with assistance to strengthen her business capabilities. This includes financial management training, entrepreneurship development training and market coordination support.

These interventions have not only helped expand the scale of the business but have also established a stronger foundation for its formal and sustainable operation. With this support, Keyara Farm has been registered within the government’s legal framework and has developed its own distinct business name and identity.

As the business has grown, Ms. Deepika Damayanthi’s personal economic position has also improved. She now provides paid employment to two individuals and owns two vehicles. From producing approximately 28 trays of eggs at the initial stage, the business now supplies more than 60 trays to the market. This steady growth reflects a significant achievement in her entrepreneurial journey.

The growth of Keyara Farm from a small-scale operation with 500 birds to a medium-scale enterprise with 3,000 birds demonstrates how appropriate business guidance, knowledge, market connections and entrepreneurial commitment can create meaningful opportunities for small-scale entrepreneurs.