Running a Poultry Farm in Limbe
by Lukong Basile, Figures Poultry Farm CEO
1. Managing Borrowing for Profitability
Securing funds to scale our poultry farm in Limbe required navigating high-interest loans, a common hurdle in African agriculture. While borrowing enabled us to expand our coops and feed supplies, the repayment schedules strained our cash flow. We learned that building trust with local microfinance institutions, rather than relying solely on banks, gave us more flexible terms. The intangible benefit of these partnerships was a sense of community support that kept us motivated, even when profits were tight.
Top tip
Negotiating longer repayment periods with local lenders can ease cash flow pressures, especially during lean seasons.
2. Building Relationships with Local Vendors and Suya Makers
Our success hinged on strong relationships with local vendors for feed and equipment, as well as suya makers in Douala, Buea, and Yaounde, who became our primary buyers. Initially, inconsistent feed quality from vendors disrupted our production, but regular communication and bulk purchase agreements stabilized our supply chain. Similarly, partnering with suya makers required understanding their needs for consistent chicken sizes and timely deliveries, which boosted our reputation and secured steady orders.
3. Overcoming Transportation Challenges
Transporting poultry from Limbe to the main markets in Douala, Buea, and Yaounde presented significant logistical hurdles. Poor road conditions and frequent vehicle breakdowns increased costs and delayed deliveries, sometimes affecting chicken quality. We invested in refrigerated transport vans and trained drivers to handle livestock, which improved delivery reliability. By mapping out optimal routes and scheduling deliveries during cooler hours, we minimized losses and kept our buyers satisfied, even if it meant higher upfront costs.
