E-MAIL FROM BENIN: 1000 CHICKENS AND A DREAM

Dear All, Hello World,

My name is Modeste Dayato. I am 32 years old and a poultry breeder. I live in a small village called Zogbodomey, together with my wife and my child. I am writing this e-mail because I would like to tell you how I managed to improve my living conditions in my home country Benin.

Perhaps you may laugh now: By profession, I am a computer scientist. Unfortunately, it is very difficult in my country to find a job in this area. Nevertheless, it was good luck for me: I had saved a little money from which I could buy a few acres of land. Even my grandfather was a chicken breeder and so chickens became my passion.

I founded the company "AGRI-Defi-Production". I started with 200 hens, but my population grew rapidly. Every day they give me more than 800 eggs, which I then sell to dealers in the market. People always eat eggs - and they are familiar with raising chickens for their own consumption. But I quickly noticed that it is a completely different matter to start a business. That's why I was very lucky when I came into contact with the Green Innovation Centers, which teach you that.

Even my grandfather was a chicken-breeder, and so chickens became my passion.

I have been part of the SME Business Loop since last year. During a six-month period, there are alternating group and individual training sessions. In the training units, I learn correct accounting and how to write a business plan. Afterwards, I can put my new knowledge into practice, under the supervision and with the help of Valdano, my personal mentor. All my products are organically grown and produced in good faith using the best agro-ecological practices. I am very proud of that!

Things have already changed: For example, I began to systematically organize my supplies. This allows me to buy corn, the basic ingredient for my chicken feed when prices are lower. It has also led to lower production costs. And there was another great change: Since the start of the coaching, my income has increased by 25 percent, which is up to 2000 Euro per month.

You can see: My business is growing. Recently, I hired two full-time and four part-time employees. According to my business plan, I now hope to be able to win the trust of financial partners, as I am playing with the idea of applying for a loan. And I have even bigger plans: I would like to increase my production size from 1000 to 5000 hens and also to breed fish. This would benefit food security in my region. In the long run, I would like to open a training center for animal husbandry and a reserve for ecotourism.

I hope that my story inspires people at home and around the world. Because I have experienced it myself: Living from farming is possible!

All the best, Modeste

PS: In the photos you see me with my chickens!