Interview with 2015 National Best Farmer Ibrahim Musa

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December 4, 2015 10:39 AM

" I don't have any formal education, I didn't go to school, so all I had was farming. The youth must not concentrate on formal education alone. It helps, but it's not enough"- Ibrahim Abdul Musa

Poultry farmer and owner of I Am Unity Farms in Dormaa- Ahenkro, Ibrahim Abdul Musa has been named National Best Farmer 2015.

Armed with over 15 years of farming experience the 45 year old can now boast of a bird population of 180,000 birds, 150,000 of which are layers, and 30,000 broilers.

He will be given a fully furnished three- bedroom house from the Agricultural Development Bank.

Pulse News caught up with him to get the story behind his success, what makes him tick, and what prospects are there for the future.

Ibrahim Abdul Musa started his farm with 200 birds in 2001, as a source of making a living.

" I don't have any formal education, I didn't go to school, so all I had was farming. The youth must not concentrate on formal education alone. It helps, but it's not enough"

Farming meant everything to him, and he took all steps necessary to succeed. The first thing he did was to understudy some experienced farmers like his father and others around. He worked as farm laborer on his fathers farm all his life.

" So I had the opportunity to understudy. I learnt the ropes. It is very important for all young people to know this. They must start early enough, understudy and then they will succeed. Knowing what to do and having the needed experience is very important."

Ibrahim Musa advised the youth to manage their expectations when they venture into agriculture. Patience is neccessary.

" Don't expect to start with 10,000 birds just because some other farmer has 10,000 birds. It is a matter of determination and hardwork. You have to be prepared to start from 200, grow to a 1000, and on and on. Patience is key."

Today, Ibrahim says his patience has paid off. His poultry farm produces about 4000 crates of eggs a day. That is a lot of money in turnover per the unit price of a crate of egg, which is averagely GHC10.

" It is all to the glory of God. Who knew that I will be here today. Today, I can afford all I want. I can educate my children to what ever level they want in any part of the world. But as I said it takes a lot of patience and hardwork. You fail so many times, but once you persevere, you will succeed."

On what the future holds for I Am Unity Farms and Ibrahim Ahmed Musa himself,

" We are looking at diversifying the business now. As I speak I am almost completing my filling station. We also into mushroom production. I also have a big Gari processing plant to my name. All these are to employ as many youth as possible, and assist the government in developing this country."

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