–By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-UTEH:
JOY TORERE is a Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) beneficiary in the 2019/2020 Cycle. She hails from Udu Local Government Area and has a B.Sc. ED in Agricultural Science from the Delta State University. She is a diligent young woman with passion for agriculture which she described as the future of Nigeria.
She is a professional teacher and the CEO of WEC International and Agro Allied Venture located in Okolor Inland. After training, she received a buffer establishment package from the State Government to begin her enterprise in fish production. She tells her story after two years in agribusiness.
“I thank the Delta State Government for making my dream to come true after five years of joblessness. My establishment package included 6 months training, monthly stipend of ₦15,000.00 for nine months, three 13 X 13 X 4 feet polygon tarpaulin fish tanks, 1,500 juveniles, a solid basement for the tanks, a roof to house the tanks and 120 bags of feeds to grow the fish to maturity.
“I am two years old in business and I am gradually growing my business. I currently have four tarpaulin fish tanks stocked with 3,500 fish. I combine my fish enterprise with a teaching job in a private school. I want to expand, acquire a large expanse of land for plantain plantation and to dig earthen fish ponds.
“Agriculture is the future of this country. With good management, no one ventures into it and loses. We need more hands in the agricultural sector to boost food production.”
Delta youths should brace up to practise agriculture. There is no work without stress.”
