Brass—Olali Tonwaprinyo graduated from the Niger Delta University in 2015. For five years he could not find his desired job to make ends meet, so in 2020 he ventured into poultry farming.
Olali who is a native of Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State in an interview with mangrovepen.ng said he decided to go into poultry farming to survive and be self-employed as well as avoid being idle.
The trained biochemist said life after school was frustrating as a young adult without a paid job, leading him into his new line of business.
He said he chose poultry farming because the business is not particularly common in Twon-Brass where his poultry is situated. And, coupled with its high profitability, he saw an opportunity.
He said, “After graduation, it became difficult to make ends meet with no job and being unemployed. You know the situation of the country, how difficult it is for young people to survive.
“So for a long time, I thought about what I could do to earn a living as a young adult. Then I decided to go into poultry farming. I felt I could do that, so that was how I decided to venture into the poultry business which I know is lucrative if I get things right and well.”
He said he started with 100 broilers with the market not so favourable to him then. This according to him was due to a lack of adequate marketing of his business, a lesson he said he learned.
However, after a little setback in 2021, he added another 100 broilers and 300 layer chickens to his farm.
Olali revealed that he has plans to improve on his poultry daily egg production capacity of five crates by adding more layers.
“There are several challenges in this business just like any other business out there. The mortality rate of the birds could be high depending on how well one looks after his chicken.
“In my case, initially, five percent of my birds died out of 100 birds. That was challenging for me because it is a considerable loss.
“Another challenge I’m facing is the high cost of poultry feeds. Feeds are expensive just like any other commodity in the market. That is also a big challenge.
“And then, of course, finance to expand the hen house. Because I have plans of expanding my poultry, including purchasing more birds and constructing a more spacious chicken coop, he said.
Olali said he aspires to be the youngest and richest poultry farmer in Bayelsa, the Niger Delta region and Nigeria in the nearest future.
He stressed that he wants to be a good role model to youths in Bayelsa and beyond, adding that he intends organizing a seminar in which youths will be taught various entrepreneurial skills with which they can earn a living.
Olali, having been in the poultry business for about two years now has garnered much experience on how the business works,
He advised prospective poultry farmers to have enough finance before going into the business.
“Time and commitment,” continues says, “are just as important as funds in this business. One must be ready to be committed to giving a lot of time to his poultry otherwise you may risk losing all your birds to mortality.”
Olali was very specific in naming some of the people that have supported him financially and otherwise in his business.
According to him: “I have been supported by a few individuals to set up my business. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, the Lawmaker representing Nembe-Brass federal constituency in the House of Representatives gave me the soft loans I used in starting the business. I am grateful to him.
“A traditional ruler, Highness Henry Micah-Biterefie, has also helped me financially and also a philanthropist by name Preye Braah has come through too.
“I cannot fail to mention my partner for her enormous contributions to my personal growth and of course a few friends and family for their love and encouragement.”