Dhikroh Dhikrullah Adesile is an Agri-entrepreneur who was driven by her determination to combat diabetes. When the condition touched her family, she sprang into action, dedicating herself to finding solutions. Her journey led to the creation of QAH Food Farmacy, a pioneering outfit that processes healthy, diabetes-friendly food options.
By Eberechi Obinagwam
Dhikroh Dhikrullah Adesile is an Agri-entrepreneur who was driven by her determination to combat diabetes. When the condition touched her family, she sprang into action, dedicating herself to finding solutions. Her journey led to the creation of QAH Food Farmacy, a pioneering outfit that processes healthy, diabetes-friendly food options.
How it started
After a relation of hers had a brush with Diabetes, Dhikroh took a deep interest in the ailment and thought about how to help with food options to prevent and manage it.
So, it started in 2019 in Ilesa, Osun State, after completing a two-year training program on the Management of Diabetes from Pill Box Pharmacy (Auxiliary). She then proceeded to Leventis Foundation Agricultural Training School in Ilesa, Osun State, for a one-year course to gain knowledge on food for diabetic patients.
“I had relations suffering from diabetes, and I sought ways to provide a solution to alleviate their suffering. I registered for a two-year training program on the Management of Diabetes before establishing my business, QAH Food Farmacy. Later, I attended a one-year course at Leventis Foundation Agricultural Training School to understand the source of food and its nutritional benefits for diabetic patients. The good news is that, after completing my training, I was able to successfully treat my relative using my products,” she said.
READ ALSO:
TheNiche Young Entrepreneur: Rhoda Olorunfemi: Child rights activist on POS pastime
As an Agri-entrepreneur, Dhikroh recognises the critical role diet plays in managing diabetes. “Poor diet contributes to the development of diabetes, but it’s preventable and manageable with a good lifestyle, healthy diet, and good exercise,” she said.
At QAH Food Farmacy, Dhikroh specialises in processing agricultural products to create healthy, hygienic, and diabetes-friendly food options. Her product range includes breadfruit flour, bitter yam flour, sweet potato flour, dry vegetables, and various spices.
Dhikroh’s processing expertise is grouped in two main areas: Livestock processing: snails, fish, chicken, and meats and Food crop processing: plantain flour, bean flour, dried pap, vegetables, sweet potato flour, and more.
Sourcing for capital
Dhikroh said sourcing capital was challenging but managed to raise capital after saving money over some time.
Penetrating the market
The CEO of QAH Food Farmacy said it was challenging to penetrate the market. She said for now, they have been able to expand their outreach to markets, hospitals and households while hoping for more expansion, “We are yet to break into the market,” she said.
Improvising
Dhikroh said she had struggles with manually dehydrating her products because she didn’t have a dehydrator and milling machine when she started. “Using the natural way which is ‘sun drying’ to get my farm produce dried was tasking and time-consuming,” she said.
Breakthrough
The CEO of QAH Food Farmacy said her breakthrough came when she got a Dehydrator through a million naira competition she won. “I won a million naira through a business competition in 2021 so I used part of the money to purchase the machine,” she said. “It was a breakthrough for me. It encouraged me a lot,” she added with excitement.
Challenges
She mentioned getting NAFDAC certification as one of her challenges, ”It is a huge amount of money.” She said electricity adds to it.
Japa?
Dhikroh loves flexibility and innovation, hence she does not see herself leaving Nigeria. “I love flexibility and innovation. I won’t get that same freedom abroad. Our unique Nigerian environment fosters creativity and adaptability. So, I am committed to staying and growing my business here, rather than leaving for ‘Japa’ reasons.” She, however, planned to remain in Nigeria to leverage local food as a medicinal approach to managing health and wellness.
About Dhikroh
Dhikroh has participated in trainings like the Agro-Innovatives West Africa Exhibition, SpringBoard Foundation Farming School, Akure, Food and Beverages Exhibition West Africa which further propelled her to participate in the Business Plan Competition in 2021 where she won a Star price in the 6th edition of the competition that was hosted by Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation (ZSF). She has a farm where she grows food crops with three employees.
Dhikroh has a five-year plan to expand her land for both farming and laboratory purposes. “We hope to acquire 24 stainless tray dehydrators and a 10kv generator, rent a suitable production facility, purchase milling machine equipment, and secure additional land for farming.
