When Yettore Farms launched in 2005, it was established to meet the increasing demand for dependable poultry products such as eggs, meat, and fertilizer in Bauchi State.
Similar to numerous local agribusinesses in Northern Nigeria, the path has not always been seamless. The farm encountered initial hurdles, leading to a temporary halt in operations in 2011. However, nearly twenty years later, it continues to flourish, adapting to economic pressures, security threats, and regulatory changes that have shut down many competitors.
“We had to suspend production due to some internal operational difficulties,” stated Adamu Tilde, Managing Director of Yettore Farms.
“Yet, we resumed operations in 2020 with a more defined structure and a reinvigorated commitment to growth and sustainability,” he added.
Yettore Farms is a diverse livestock and poultry business that produces eggs, broiler chickens, beef, rams, and organic manure. Based in Bauchi State, the farm supplies markets within the state and connects with customers in Kano, Kaduna, Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, Maiduguri, and Abuja.
The enterprise operates with around 50,000 laying hens and has facilities for up to 1,000 cattle and 10,000 broiler chicks at any given time, in addition to raising thousands of rams during festive periods.
Plans are underway for a permanent 10-hectare site along the Jos–Bauchi Expressway, which will feature a mini abattoir and cold storage options to enhance processing capabilities.
“Our objective is to escalate our egg production to reach 100,000 birds by the conclusion of 2027,” Mr. Tilde expressed.
Strategically situated in Tilde and fully utilising its current location, the farm has recognised that its existing capacity is nearing completion. “We have exhausted our available space, hence the need to develop a new permanent site to enhance our production capabilities,” noted Mr. Tilde.
This expansion is set to facilitate processing lines for both chicken and beef products, solidifying the farm’s status as one of the larger private livestock operations in Bauchi State.
“At maximum capacity, we can accommodate up to 1,000 cattle, approximately 10,000 broiler chicks at any point, and thousands of rams during festive seasons,” he elaborated.
The effective management framework at Yettore Farms is grounded in professional expertise, with most of the leadership team being skilled animal scientists and veterinarians.
“Professionalism distinguishes us. When your management team possesses knowledge in animal science and veterinary practices, it inevitably shapes the management of the business. Our guiding principles are quality and reliability, striving to be ethical and sustainable,” Mr. Tilde affirmed.
Operational practices reflect this professional focus. Operations Manager, Abdulkarim Adam, oversees production processes, quality checks, and safety protocols.
“I analyze performance metrics daily, update records, and strategize the following day's tasks to uphold productivity and reduce waste,” he explained.
Rising costs related to feed and biosecurity represent significant operational expenditures, accompanied by ongoing challenges in disease monitoring.
“One of our primary obstacles lies in the early detection of diseases and determining the causes of mortality, which is exacerbated by limited access to standardized laboratories and diagnostic resources,” Mr. Adam mentioned.
From its base in Bauchi, Yettore Farms distributes its products across multiple states in the northern region. “The market in Nigeria is extensive and diverse. We do not limit our customer base since everyone needs eggs and meat,” Mr. Tilde stated.
The farm is also creating a new business line aimed at servicing hotels, restaurants, and urban consumers who favor free-range and organic products; however, logistical limitations present ongoing challenges.
Due to the quality of the roads, current distribution relies on non- temperature-controlled vehicles. “To mitigate heat exposure, we opt for early morning and late evening deliveries,” noted Mr. Adam, while acknowledging that budget constraints hinder the acquisition of refrigerated trucks.
The substantial economic challenges brought on by increasing feed prices, fuel costs, and currency depreciation have tested the farm's resilience.
“The previous three years felt like a turbulent journey. We faced a cashless policy, withdrawal of subsidies, and significant devaluation of the naira nearly consecutively,” Mr. Tilde remarked, illustrating the impact through input cost trends.
“Prior to subsidy withdrawals and naira devaluation, a day-old chick was priced between ₦650 and ₦700 in April 2023. Currently, it costs about ₦2,500. A 25kg bag of layer mash was around ₦7,500 as of May 2023 but is now priced at approximately ₦14,000, and at one point was nearly ₦20,000.”
Despite these pressures, production levels have remained steady. “We adapted, managing resources wisely, cutting down costs where feasible, and holding on to hope while maintaining our production output,” Mr. Tilde added, noting that financial prudence is critical to their strategy.
“Judicious and careful management of resources has been pivotal,” he added.
Beyond financial pressures, security challenges have influenced the operational landscape of the farm. Mr. Tilde explained that security concerns in Northern Nigeria vary significantly across different regions, ranging from banditry to conflicts between farmers and herders.
“We have encountered our share of security issues, particularly due to the influx of scattered bandits from the Zamfara area into southern Bauchi,” he shared, recounting personal tragedy where he lost his brother in a bandit attack, a traumatic event for him.
The farm's continued operation can largely be attributed to the proactive support from the Bauchi State Government and various security agencies. “We persist in business largely due to the swift responses from His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, against the bandit confrontations between 2020 and 2023, coupled with the efforts from our security forces. There have been minimal incidents of banditry or other attacks since then,” he remarked.
Yettore Farms currently provides employment to 57 permanent staff, in addition to casual workers and interns. The farm also creates indirect employment opportunities through suppliers and transport channels.
“At any point, the farm is buzzing with activity, whether it’s egg off-takers loading products or feed suppliers bringing in materials,” Mr. Tilde explained.
Employees like Adam Mustapha have developed alongside the enterprise. “I commenced my journey as a hall attendant, looking after feeding and maintaining the pens. I later advanced to hall supervisor and then assistant manager,” he recounted.
“My salary allows me to save and invest in my agricultural ventures,” he noted. Moreover, he highlighted skills acquired during his tenure. “I have learned about caring for day-old chicks, recognizing sick birds, distinguishing between productive and non-productive pullets, and managing records.”
Retailers such as Mas’ud Rimi depend on Yettore Farms for both its product reliability and quality. “The prices are reasonable and easy to access,” he commented, adding that consistent supply has fostered positive growth in his business.
The delivery service has proven to be dependable. “Their deliveries to my shop are consistent,” he stated, while identifying areas for improvement regarding pricing variations and the absence of dedicated delivery vehicles for wholesale clients.
The farm is set to progress into the next development phase, focusing on securing more control over its production supply chain. “Without comprehensive oversight of production activities, you remain vulnerable to middlemen,” Mr. Tilde advised.
Future expansion plans include enhancing feed milling operations and logistical capabilities. He cites the necessity for technology incorporation in agriculture as decisively instrumental in driving competitiveness in Northern agribusiness.
“Integrating advanced tech into production and processing is critical. However, access to affordable and patient financing remains our biggest hurdle,” he shared.
Regarding youth involvement in agribusiness, Mr. Tilde acknowledged the difficulty in measuring impact but expressed hope that his journey might inspire others. “There are no established metrics for this, but I aspire that by sharing snippets of my work on social media, I can motivate some young individuals to explore agribusiness,” he remarked.
He encouraged emerging entrepreneurs to prioritize actionable steps over negativity often found online. “They must pay attention to doers rather than just talkers. Many commendable developments are happening in Nigeria, and the agribusiness sector is immense and largely unexplored. If your perception of Nigeria’s opportunities is shaped primarily through social media, you risk misjudging the country’s true potential.”
Despite the scale of operations, Mr. Tilde revealed that government assistance has not reached them. “I have yet to receive any form of support from either regional or national government initiatives,” he disclosed.
Yettore Farms stands as a testament to the strength of Northern agribusinesses, showcasing growth amidst increasing costs, security difficulties, and unforeseen regulatory changes. Their professional management, effective strategic planning, and local entrepreneurship play a vital role in sustaining jobs and uplifting the economic landscape of the region.
“Achieving growth in these challenging circumstances is arduous but feasible with prudent planning, discipline, and the right attitude. This is precisely what we are pursuing at Yettore Farms,” Mr. Tilde concluded.
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