Assalamu Alaikum. I am a staff member at a complex and reside in Gazipur. I currently work for a reputable company but wish to start a business in Gazipur—one where products can be sold through both online and offline channels. Although I plan to start on a small scale, I want the business to have the potential for significant growth in the future. I intend to launch this venture with a budget of $1,000 to $1,200; what kind of business would you suggest? I believe many of you here are involved in business in real life, so I would appreciate your advice and guidance. I also hope you will share your insights regarding any businesses you might be running yourselves.
Thank you.
In Pakistan I kept 10 goats. Remember that for 9 female goats always retain one male goat of good breed for breeding. They normally cost from 15k to 32k PKR (about $54 to $115) depending on the breed. Some goats give birth to one kid and some to two per season, which is about six months.
For feed, buying grass from the market costs around 500 PKR (about $1.80) a day for the whole herd. Instead I bought the grass from a field for the season — 5,000 PKR (about $18) for seven months — and I cut and carry it myself. In the off season I feed them straw. This brought my cost down to around 50 PKR (about $0.18) a day or less.
A three months old kid I sold for about 25k to 30k PKR (about $90 to $108). Six-month kids sell for around 60k ($216). One kid I kept to maturity and sold for 85k ($306).
The main drawback is that goats die in winter, because they have very weak immunity to cold. I keep a vet on contact, who only does checkups when required.
If you have space, this is a good business. $1,000–1,200 is about 280,000 to 334,000 PKR, which at these prices buys most of a herd and leaves nothing to feed it. Better to buy fewer goats and keep money aside for feed and treatment.