Santos Savaio, a small-scale farmer in Sussundenga, a district capital,
is also a successful entrepreneur. He bought his first manual oilseed
press in 1999, on installments, and now owns four. He buys oilseed from
area farmers and presses and sells oil-rich in vitamin A and other essential
nutrients commonly lacking in rural diets-both in rural markets and
in the town. Santos has reinvested his profits in the local economy
by expanding his pressing business, but he has also served his community
as an example of what an entrepreneurial spirit can accomplish from
a small beginning: "I am improving my housing condition as well
as paying school costs for my children." In late 2001, Santos spearheaded
the formation of a 10-member association of press owners, in order to
facilitate their negotiations with financial institutions, government
offices, and potential private sector customers (wholesalers and retailers)
for their oilseed and pressed oil.
A Typical Farmer Becomes a Force in the Local Economy
