-By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-UTEH:

STELLA AWULOR hails from Ika North East Local Government Area and is the CEO of AkaChukwu Fish Farm located at Egbokodo-Itsekiri in Warri South West Local Government Area. She is four years in business, having enrolled in the 2016/2017 Cycle of the Delta State Government’s Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP.)

In spite of the challenges of inadequate funds, she is gradually growing her business and using the proceeds to support her family. She affirmed that the training she received from the job creation programme was her greatest asset. Hear her.

“I currently have six ponds and 6,000 fish. I maintain the practice of completing two production cycles yearly because I prefer to sell my fish at table size. I plough back my profit to grow my business since I have not been able to source for funding elsewhere. The knowledge acquired during training is most valuable to me.

“The farm has been of immense benefit to me and my family. From the proceeds, I contribute my quota to the upkeep of my home and to my children’s education. The greatest challenge is the difficulty in securing loans. The initiative is commendable and should be sustained.”