Running a business for the past ten years has not been an easy feat for 51-year-old Jitendra Kumar and his wife, but through the support of his family and relatives, their business has stayed resilient amid business fluctuations.
Kumar is a market vendor who sells his produce at the Lautoka Market and is being assisted by his wife. The income earned from their sales goes to supporting the family.
Speaking to fijivillage News on behalf of Kumar, his wife highlighted that their business is not without its struggles, as there are fluctuations in supply and demand, and sometimes suppliers don't have vegetables, which has affected their sales.
Before venturing into business, Jitendra worked as a jeep driver at Tropik Wood.
She says the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted their livelihood, with movement restrictions affecting their business.
She further says the economy is still recovering, but there are still ups and downs with rising prices of vegetables and demand facing constant pressures.
The couple earns between $150 to $200 per week as their profits fluctuate depending on the season and market conditions.
They also rely on their one farmhouse for production, but there are concerns about natural disasters, particularly floods, which remain a worry for them.
Despite these challenges, the Jitendra family remains resilient, arriving at the market every morning with their big Bula smiles.
