–By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh and Laura Ese Oghene:

JOSHUA UMUAKPERO is the CEO of Mabel-Joshua Agricultural Farm. He hails from Isoko South Local Government Area and is a graduate ofAgricultural Science Education, but was unemployed for eleven years which made him venture into poultry business. 

He enrolled in the Delta State Government’s Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) in the 2019/2020 cycle as a Brown YAGEPreneur. The support package he received turned his fortune around. He is now into integrated farming. Hear him. 

“I had 150 layer birds before job creation bureau came to my rescue. I received as support package, ₦495,000.00 for 300 point of lay birds and 60 bags of grower bird feed. With this support, I diversified to fish production and piggery. I added 250 layers to the 150 I began with to make it 400 layers. I sell 13 crates of eggs daily on the average. 

“In addition, I have 150 broilers, 9 pigs and 4,000 fish. Most often, I brood and sell off my birds for quick returns. I know the future is bright. Integrated farming is the best. I am grateful to the State Government for this good initiative that has created jobs and wealth for unemployed youths in Delta State.”