Celebrating Hard work; Inspiring Story of A Female Rice Farmer

WHAT IS YOUR ORIGIN?

My name is Adoo Eugenia, I hail from Konshisha  local government, Gaav precisely in the family of late Akor Mela. I am From a family of (8)eight, five siblings my mum and Dad, though I lost my dad in 2008.

BACKGROUND

My mum is a Co rice farmer, I lost my Dad in 2008, he was the only child of my of late grandma tho I grew up with my Dads best friend who picked me up when I was 7 years, after my Dad died 2008. 

My Dad's best friend was a pilot but later retired and when he died life in 2009, became so difficult for I and my Aunt so I had to join hand with my aunt we will buy pure water and make kunu drink. I will  hawk round the market, every airport market, so we were surviving on that.

I came back to meet my mum in 2011 by then I was in sss 1 at Goodnews Secondary Grammar school, things were very difficult to a point I had to proceed to another school to get my ssce at Gucci Gwer Unity college at Ikpayongu because of difficulties. 

In 2013, I was done with my secondary school though my mum had to plead with me to be patient and wait for my elder brother to be through with his NCE at Kalven foundation Naka before I can further my education because things were tough 

After two years I wrote Jamb, 2015 I was admitted into the Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue state. I am currently in my final year studying BA English.

Adoo and her mum

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR JOURNEY TO BE AN ENTERPRENEUR?

Inspiration comes from the ability to be as creative as you want to be and show people something they potentially have never seen before. For a lot of people, it is about money, fame, freedom and all of that is absolutely realistic and fantastic, but i mostly do it for the excitement of being creative and thinking on my own. When you work for someone else, you are helping them with their own vision. If you are a true entrepreneur, that is all it takes to motivate you to have your own vision and make it a reality. Having a white board in front of you with a team of people that you grew together, trying to make it in a competitive world, makes it all more fun.

I think for me, on top of creativity, it is the ability to stay competitive.

Adoo during the processing of rice after harvest 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO TRADE AND DEAL IN RICE PRODUCTION CONSIDERING HOW HECTIC IT MIGHT BE?

I grew up learning these processes from my mother, so it was a lot more easier because I learned from the best. I wouldn't consider it hectic because there is no easy way of many money legitimately in this present society without stress. Enterpreneurship has been my passion for as long as I remember. And there is no sweeter feeling like doing what you love to do and still earning from it. I didn't choose rice, rice chose me, and I don't see it as been hectic.

DID YOUR BACKGROUND INFLUENCE YOUR DECISION TO WORK HARD?

Growing up, I didn't know much about how the background thing works because in as much as we had nothing, my mother always made sure we lacked nothing. But growing up, I got to understand life better, i realized she was making alot of sacrifices for us so I decided to help out by following her foot steps. But I realized I had to make it easier for her, so i stepped it up and here we are today.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN THE CAUSE OF YOUR BUSINESS?

I would say machineries, Funds and Empowerment.

Let me explain why. I do not have a milling machine of my own for now, so I have to pay for milling, and that goes straight to expenses or even turn around time for customers. Finance also has been a thing of consideration because you have to be ready with tools at your end, before a customer will consider you worthy. Things like the customized sacks for bagging and branding do not come easy, but with finance, all that is required to put in place before selling yourself to potential and already existing customers will be out in place, u know the competition in the market. Empowerment is also a key challenge. Government or private entities could partner or empower by form of contracts and grants and it would enable a smooth operation. Remember, I alone cannot handle the processes, therefore I have people who help with the process. I also pay for their services. I am an employer, it's a huge relieve on government too if I am properly empowered.

Adoo inspecting the work by one of her employees

The loading of bags of rice ready for distribution

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN COUPLE OF YEARS?

I see my business growing with outlets all over the world. We are already shaking things up by simply offering Rice at it's Peak. Years from now, my business will still be steadily helping others to become successful. Money was never a first priority, helping others has been the goal from the start. I am the answer, to ANY current or future business problem, there isn't a business that cannot benefit from my expertise, knowledge, experience and ideas.

Packaging 

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL ANYONE ASPIRING TO BE LIKE YOU? 

My mother is my role model and I followed her footsteps, just that I did it better with the help of modern tools, tools like advertisement, social media and sense of branding.

I advise anyone aspiring to be like me to aspire not to be like me but better than me. He/she should stand up today and remember that success cannot be achieved in a day. Before you fly, you must first learn to stand and work, one cannot fly into flying. Challenge yourself, take risk, believe in yourself, have a vision, face your fears and take action.

Asides working, Adoo loves to help people and put smiles on faces of many.  

Adoo bought a car for her mum recently