Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Saido Elmi Abdi’s Success in Poultry Business

BELEDWEYNE — In Beledweyne, Somalia, a significant shift is taking place. Thanks to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) efforts, women are being empowered through comprehensive entrepreneurial training and counseling sessions. One shining example of this initiative’s impact is Saido Elmi Abdi, who has successfully launched and grown her poultry business in 2024.

A Modest Beginning with Big Dreams

Saido began her venture with modest savings, driven by the belief that “poultry is an investment in life, in sustainability, in the future of generations to come.” Through UNIDO’s intervention, she received essential knowledge transfer, skill development, and technical assistance on best poultry practices and effectivemarketing strategies. This support enabled her to establish proper poultry housing structures and procure modern equipment and supplies necessary to produce high-quality chicken meat and eggs.

Daily Commitment and Community Impact

Every day for the past two months, Saido has dedicated herself to the care of her growing chicken flock. Her daily routine starts at the crack of dawn, meticulously tidying the chicken coops, feeding the chicks, and collecting freshly laid eggs.

These eggs are then carefully packed and distributed to customers across Beledweyne, ensuring a steady supply of fresh produce to the local community.

Saido has not only focused on production but also on creating a sustainable market for her poultryproducts. She actively facilitates connections and establishes partnerships with potential buyers, including restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets.

This approach helps secure consistent sales and broadens her customer base.

Impact on Local Economy

Job Creation- Saido’s poultry business has the potential to create significant employment opportunities in Beledweyne. For example, if her business expands to house 500 chickens, she might need to hire 3–5 full-time employees for feeding, cleaning, and distribution. This coulddirectly translate into job creation for the local community, reducing unemployment rates and providing stable incomes.

Local Poultry Consumption- Currently, Saido’s 35 chickens produce approximately

20 eggs daily, equating to 600 eggs per month. If each household in Beledweyne consumes an average of 30 eggs monthly, Saido’s current production could support the nutritional needs of 20 households. An increase in her flock to 500 chickens could support over 285 households, significantly boosting local poultry consumption and reducing dependence on red meat.

Long-term Vision and Potential Challenges

Scaling Up Production- Saido aims to expand her business by increasing the number of layer chicks. Scaling up to 500 chickens could lead to producing approximately 285 eggs daily, equating to over 8,500 eggs monthly.

This increase would necessitate additional investments in infrastructure, feed, and labor.

Diversifying Products- To mitigate the risk of market saturation, Saido plans to diversify her product range. Introducing processed poultry products such as chicken sausages, nuggets, and marinated cuts could attract different market segments and add value to her offerings.

Addressing Market Saturation- Expanding her customer base beyond Beledweyne to nearby towns and cities could help avoid market saturation. By creating strategic partnerships with regional distributors, Saido could ensure a broader market reach and stable demand for her products.

Maintaining Product Quality- As production scales up, maintaining high standards of hygiene andquality will be crucial. Saido will need to implement rigorous quality control measures and possibly hire a quality assurance specialist to ensure her products meet health and safety standards.

Managing Increased Operational Costs — With growth, operational costs such as feed, healthcare for the chickens, and labor will increase. Saido might need to explore cost- efficient practices andeconomies of scale to manage these expenses without compromising product quality.

Future Plans and Continued Growth

Beyond financial success, Saido values the nutritional benefits that her poultry business provides for her family.

Saido’s entrepreneurial spirit and hard work have already borne fruit. She has expanded her flock to 35 chickens, laying approximately 20 eggs daily, generating an income of $200 per month from egg sales at the local market.

“I believe I can always provide my children with a balanced supper because eggs are a good source of protein,” she says with pride. Looking ahead, Saido is eager to develop a bankable business plan and gain access to financing through credit facilities, which she hopes to achieve with continuedsupport from UNIDO. Additionally, Saido envisions scaling up production, diversifying her product range to include processed poultry products, and addressing potentialmarket saturation by expanding her customer base beyond Beledweyne.

She is aware of the challenges, such as maintaining product quality, managing increased operational costs, and navigating market competition, but she remains optimistic and driven.

Conclusion

Saido Elmi Abdi’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurial training and support. Through UNIDO’s EDU networks, women like Saido are improving their own lives and contributing to their community’s economic and social development. Her story is an inspiring example of how targeted interventions and dedicated efforts can create lasting change and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.