BY NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY
KUCHING: An entrepreneur must have passion for business to succeed, said the winner of the Chief Minister’s Women Entrepreneur Award 2020, Kansar Karar also known as Kina.
“I started my business in 2009 with no financial backing from the government or any organisations.
“I have to admit it was tough to start and grow the business from zero but I was determined to succeed,” she said.
While working in a medical supply company, Kina learnt many important lessons.
“For example, it is important to get a business licence in order to benefit from government help,” she explained.
The 41-year-old entrepreneur started her business by planting 200 blocks of mushrooms in front of her house.
Under the supervision of the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) in 2013, Kina’s business expanded.
Six years later, she now has over 30,000 mushroom blocks and has ventured into the planting of chillies, cultivation of hydroponic vegetables, ginger and tomatoes and farming of stingless bees (kelulut).
“We are now producing seven types of our own fertilisers and 18 products that are up for sale. All are certified halal,” said Kina.
“With the expansion of the farm and my business, I have built over 500 greenhouses for the plants.”
Among Kina’s top selling products are mushrooms, chillies and bottled chilli sauce.
Her endless effort has earned her as much as RM2 million per year.
“Being an entrepreneur is very challenging. We need to be patient and committed to what we have started.
“Entrepreneurs must always overcome obstacles and never give up hope in order to succeed,” she said.
Kina added that it is also good to have role models to help them with their goals.
Currently, she has 15 workers on her two-acre farm and her own shop at Mile 11 here.
“We also conduct training for those interested in this field.
“We give training on the planting of modern plants, fertigation as well as farming of stingless bees.
“Our training consists of theories in the morning and on-hand practical lessons in the afternoon.
“This way, the trainees can directly experience the things they have learnt,” she explained.
She added that the training is only for a day.
Kina is also listed as a finalist in the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) Bizz Challenge 2020. She is representing Sarawak in the challenge which will be held in Negeri Sembilan.
