• June 3, 2026

Tobias Deku: My first pig customers were cooperate friends, old school mates and few restaurants

The Chief Executive Officer of Tobdar Pig Farms, Tobias Deku, has disclosed that personal relationships and networking played a crucial role in the early success of his pig farming business.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on the Adwinton Business Hour, hosted by Awal Yahya, Mr. Deku recounted how he turned to friends, former classmates, restaurants, and corporate contacts to create a market for his pigs when the business was still in its infancy.

According to him, one of the greatest challenges facing many start-up farmers is not production but access to buyers.

“When I started pig farming, I did not have a ready market. I had to depend on restaurants, corporate networks, old school mates, friends, and personal contacts to

sell my pigs. They became my first customers and helped spread the word about my business,” he said.
Mr. Deku explained that building trust with customers was essential during the early stages of the business. He said every satisfied customer became a source of referrals, helping him gradually expand his reach and establish a stable market.

Marketing Beyond the Farm

The entrepreneur stressed that successful farming requires more than producing livestock. Farmers, he said, must also be willing to promote their products, build relationships, and actively seek business opportunities.

“Agriculture is a business. You cannot simply rear animals and expect buyers to appear. You have to market yourself, create networks, and build relationships that can support your growth,” he stated.

He noted that restaurants became important clients because of their regular demand for pork, while recommendations from friends and former school mates opened doors to new customers and business opportunities.

Networking as a Business Tool

Mr. Deku described networking as one of the most powerful yet underutilized tools available to young entrepreneurs.

He encouraged aspiring farmers to make use of social gatherings, professional associations, alumni groups, and business events to promote their ventures and establish valuable connections.

According to him, many successful agribusinesses are built on relationships developed long before the businesses themselves were established.

“The people around you can become your biggest supporters. Sometimes your first customers are not strangers; they are people who already know your character, your

commitment, and your vision,” he said.

Lessons for Aspiring Farmers

Sharing advice for young people interested in agriculture, Mr. Deku urged them not to focus solely on production but to invest equal effort in building a customer base.

He said understanding the market and developing strong customer relationships are critical components of a sustainable agribusiness.

The comments formed part of a broader discussion on entrepreneurship, agribusiness development, and livestock production on the Adwinton Business Hour programme.

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Mr. Deku credited the support of his personal and professional network for helping him navigate the challenges of starting a business and establishing Tobdar Pig Farms as a growing player within Ghana’s livestock industry.

“My journey taught me that your network can become your market. The support of friends, old school mates, restaurants, and business contacts gave me the foundation I needed to grow,” he concluded.