-By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-UTEH:

HELEN OWIGHO hails from Isoko South and has an HND in Agricultural Extension Management. She is a product of the 2016/2017 cycle of the Delta State Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP.) She is the CEO of Helen-O Fish Farm Enterprise located in the Fish Farm Cluster at Egbokodo-Itsekiri in Warri South Local Government Area.

In spite of the challenges she encountered in her first year of operation, she is forging on. She is a consultant in fish production and has diversified into stock supply. Four years after, she shares her story.

“I have gained lots of experience in fish production in the past four years. I thank God I am still in business. At a time, I took a cooperative loan to boost my business. Currently, I have four ponds stocked with 3,000 fish. I have stock all year round. It is quite rewarding.

YAGEP made me financially independent. I have diversified into supply of fingerlings, post fingerlings and juveniles to farmers within and outside Delta. The market for fish is there. I sell to major buyers who off-take or to market women.

“YAGEP is an excellent agricultural policy. It is helpful to youths all over Delta State. Kudos to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Successive governments should not only continue with it but should improve on it.”