–By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh and Laura Ese Oghene:

Nwabuokei, Uche Festus is the CEO of Chubuokei Farms. He hails from Aniocha South Local Government. He studied Estate Management. He enrolled into the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) in the 2020/2021 cycle as a brown YAGEPreneur in fish production, but was supported in poultry production. Hear him.

“I was given 300 day old broilers and 65 bags of bird feeds. One year after establishment, business has been good and I am making progress. I currently have only 200 broilers and I have a shop where I sell chicken. 

I have diversified into fish and meat processing and packaging for my farm produce as well as for clients. I take orders, process, package and deliver processed fish and chicken to clients far and near. 

I bought two giant fish smoking kilns and a big industrial chicken defeather machine to make my work easy. I am married with two children. I can conveniently pay my rent and cater for my family.

I have three staff; one is on monthly salary while two are on daily payment. I rented an apartment for one of my workers close to my farm for proximity. I save one thousand naira monthly from the proceeds I get from the business.

“I am very grateful to God and to the state government for the opportunity given to me. I look forward to expanding my business by acquiring a personal land where I can establish a big poultry and fish farm.”