By Faridat Salifu
Jummai Abdullahi is making significant strides in the poultry industry with her thriving enterprise at Durumi in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
Her journey from a backyard startup to a burgeoning poultry business is a testament to her resilience and innovative spirit.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including severe weather and rising feed costs, Jumai remains dedicated to her vision of creating a sustainable and impactful business.
Recognizing the pressing issue of high unemployment rates in Nigeria, Jumai chose to take control of her destiny rather than wait passively for job opportunities.
While working at a store close by her house she invested her allowance into poultry farming, aiming not only to create a sustainable income for herself but also to contribute positively to the local food system.
Her journey began in December 2023, when she decided to delve into poultry farming with no prior experience.
Although her experience are centered around administration, she developed a keen interest in entrepreneurship, which ultimately led her to explore poultry farming as a viable business venture.
“I became acutely aware of the challenges graduates face in securing employment. Instead of spending my bursary on daily expenses, I saw an opportunity to invest it in something long-term,” she reflects.
This insight motivated her to embark on a path that would not only empower herself but also benefit her community.
Starting with just a few broilers in her backyard, jumai quickly recognized the growing demand for poultry products in her locality.
Observing the market trends, she shifted her focus toward egg production, which has since become the backbone of her business.
“Currently, I am raising both broilers and layers, but my primary focus is on egg production, as the demand for table eggs is consistently high and stable,” she explains.
Her ambition doesn’t stop there; Jumai has set her sights on expanding her operations significantly. With plans to raise over 50,000 egg-producing hens in the coming years, she is dedicated to meeting the rising market demand and solidifying her place in the industry.
Her farm now boasts hundreds of layers, but she envisions scaling her production even further.
To support her growth and development, Jumai has benefited from various farmer grant.
“The funding has enabled me to improve farm infrastructure, increase production capacity, and enhance my marketing efforts,” she states.
“Transitioning from a backyard operation to a fully developed farm would not have been possible without these financial boosts. They’ve allowed me to create a more professional and efficient operation,” she explained.
New Dawn Poultry Farm has built a diverse client base, supplying households, local shops, bakeries, butcheries, and larger buyers.
Her success can be largely attributed to her strategic marketing efforts. She effectively leverages social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to showcase her products, while word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers have also played a crucial role in boosting her visibility and reputation.
However, the road to success has not been without its share of obstacles.
Jumai has encountered numerous challenges, including the impacts of climate change, which have posed threats to her infrastructure, and rising feed costs that strain her resources.
“Some of the most significant challenges I’ve faced include severe weather events that damaged my chicken houses kill my chickens and the ongoing rise in feed prices,” she explains.
“I constantly seek cost-effective feeding strategies that do not compromise the quality of my products.”
Despite these hurdles, Jumai resilience and determination shine through. She is committed to employing innovative strategies to keep her business thriving, often seeking advice and insights from other successful farmers and industry experts.
Her long-term goals reflect her ambitious nature. Jummai aims to ramp up her production to over thousands eggs per day, construct additional poultry houses to accommodate her growing flock, and supply national retailers with high-quality eggs.
Furthermore, she is passionate about creating job opportunities for over 50 people in her community, which speaks to her desire to uplift those around her.
In addition to expanding her business, jumai envisions has a group designed to educate and empower aspiring poultry farmers.
By sharing her knowledge and expertise, she hopes to help others navigate the challenges of poultry farming and establish their own successful ventures.
Through her journey, Jummai Abdullahi is not only building a successful business but also making a meaningful contribution to her community’s growth.
Her story is a powerful reminder of the potential for individual determination and innovation to create positive change in society.
Jummai’s entrepreneurial spirit serves as an inspiration for many, showcasing that with resilience, dedication, and a willingness to adapt, it is possible to turn challenges into opportunities and make a lasting impact. END
