-By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-UTEH:
 
Sylvester Okwuejenti was trained and established in Fish Production in the Delta State Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) in the 2017/2018 cycle.  He hails from Ndokwa West Local Government Area and has a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture.

With his initial start-up of three tarpaulin fish tanks, 2,000 juveniles, 145 bags of feeds among other technical support, Sylvester has distinguished himself by growing his enterprise to enviable heights. He is a consultant, an employer, a trainer, a trailblazer and the CEO of Sly-Jen Farms located in Okpanam. Four years after, he shares his testimony.

“After my first production cycle at the YAGEP Fish Farm Cluster at Ibusa, I started afresh on a private land which I now own in Okpanam. I currently have 14 fish ponds- six concrete ponds and eight tarpaulin tanks- stocked with 6, 500 fish in various sizes. I sell fish all year round on monthly basis. When the weather is conducive, I hatch and brood my fingerlings myself.

“I have diversified to snail and crop farming; I own an orchard of diverse fruits. I sell the fruits to power my generators. From my earnings, I went for facility training in Lagos on building technology which offered me another platform to increase my streams of income.

“I have trained 17 persons who are established in fish business and at present I have two trainees. I have one employee. Apart from being married, I am now a landlord. YAGEP offered me the platform to excel.”

 PICTURE CAPTION

1. YAGEPreneur Okwuejenti feeding his fish

2. Sylvester Okwuejenti in his snail farm