AGRIBUSINESS DOCUMENTARY - INGENUITY COMPLEX LLC.

Summary

Derek Echo Sam, a passionate Ghanaian entrepreneur, transformed his dream of poultry farming into reality in March 2021. Starting with just 750 birds, he has grown his farm to nearly 2,000, producing 43–45 crates of eggs daily. Using a modern battery cage system, Derek efficiently manages feeding, egg collection, and disease control while supplying market women across Ghana. Despite challenges like feed shortages, rising costs, and unregulated pricing, he has expanded production capacity and aims to reach 9,000 birds by next year, with long-term plans to scale up to 50,000 birds and expand distribution nationally and beyond.

Takeaways

• 😀 Derek Echo Sam started his poultry farming journey in 2019 and officially launched operations on 20 March 2021.
• 😀 The farm began with 750 birds and has grown to around 1,800 birds, with plans to reach a full capacity of 9,000 birds.
• 😀 His initial motivation combined necessity due to job challenges and a passion for farming.
• 😀 Daily operations include feeding birds, collecting eggs twice a day, sorting eggs by size, and monitoring bird health.
• 😀 The main customers are market women, and eggs are supplied across various regions of Ghana.
• 😀 Key challenges include feed shortages, rising feed prices, maize scarcity, waste management, and unregulated poultry pricing.
• 😀 Battery cage systems offer advantages such as minimizing disease spread, optimizing feed efficiency, saving labor, and maximizing space.
• 😀 The farm has experienced growth by reinvesting profits and scaling production despite early setbacks.
• 😀 Peak egg demand occurs in November and December, while other months require strategic pricing to sell eggs.
• 😀 Derek aims to expand the farm regionally and internationally, with future plans for farms supporting 20,000–50,000 birds.
• 😀 Practical experience, persistence, and leveraging support have been critical to the success of his poultry business.

Q & A

Who is Derek Echo Sam and what is his background?

Derek Echo Sam, also known as Farmer, is the founder of a poultry farm in Ghana. Before starting his farm, he ran a cleaning company which helped him support the initial stages of his poultry business.

When did Derek start his poultry farming journey?

Derek had the idea in 2019, wrote a proposal, and officially started production on March 20, 2021, with support from an institution.

How did the farm grow in terms of bird numbers?

The farm started with 750 birds, briefly dropped due to production challenges, and later expanded to approximately 1,800–2,000 birds, with a total farm capacity eventually planned for 9,000 birds.

What is the daily routine for managing the poultry farm?

In the morning, the birds are checked and fed, and eggs are collected between 9:00 and 12:00. In the evening, remaining eggs are collected between 5:00 and 6:00, and all eggs are sorted by size using scales. Water is automated, and medications are administered as needed.

Who are the primary customers for the farm's eggs?

The primary customers are market women who either come to the farm or receive deliveries. The farm supplies eggs throughout Ghana.

What are the main challenges Derek faces in poultry production?

Key challenges include: difficulty obtaining commercial feed, rising feed prices, maize shortages, proper disposal of poultry feces, and lack of regulation in egg pricing, with market women controlling prices.

What advantages does the battery cage system provide?

Battery cages reduce disease spread, allow better feed control, maximize space usage, increase efficiency in egg production, and reduce labor requirements compared to deep litter systems.

How many crates of eggs does the farm produce daily?

The farm currently produces between 43 and 45 crates of eggs daily, with potential to increase to 48–50 crates.

What are Derek's future expansion goals?

Derek aims to fill the farm to 9,000 birds by June next year and eventually expand on new land to house 20,000–50,000 birds, reaching nationwide and international markets.

Which regions does the farm currently serve?

The farm currently serves Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, and parts of the Western Region, with plans to expand further across Ghana.

What inspired Derek to start poultry farming?

Derek was inspired by necessity during difficult times in 2018, combined with his passion and research into poultry farming, which showed potential for success in Ghana.

How does the farm manage poultry diseases?

The farm administers medications to the birds depending on specific conditions, such as treatments for Newcastle disease or other infections, ensuring bird health.