My experiences on my Naija travels are proving that being a farmer in Nigeria is very difficult & challenging.
I have given locals jobs to do on the farm, yet some have repeatedly disappointed me. Some overpromise and fail to deliver; some give deadlines they fail to meet. The planting has been delayed repeatedly because of these disappointments. Some have a poor attitude to work and are just concerned about the money.
I told them. Every time I come to the farm and you fail to meet an agreed target yet call me to inspect rubbish, you are wasting my time. Who should pay for my time?
Last warning: if clearing isn’t finished by Monday, I will deduct money for wasting my time. They have all agreed they know that I’m serious.
Those planting have also disappointed, as it appears they have taken on more than they can chew. My advisor, Mr. Samson, a big farmer from Igbo Ora, said if they don’t plant it well, I shouldn’t pay them kobo. Listen to his words of wisdom above. Farming in Nigeria requires 4 things: patience, brain, monitoring, & money; without these, you will not make any gain.
When you have a large farm, it’s important the cassava stem planting is properly spaced out. Too-wide spacing will mean yield per acre will be too low, leading to an unprofitable harvest. The margin between massive loss & reasonable gain can be huge.
Some overcharge for everything because they don’t see me as Mumu.
I asked one of the local farmers to give me some sweet potato vines; he brought them. To my shock, he said 10 bags N200k, making N20k per bag. Cocoa Research Institute Ibadan price is N9,000 per bag. I told him to forget it and not buy it again; I can get it cheaper in Ibadan, then he reduced the price to N5k per bag.
Look put for the Igbo ora Twins Festival this week. I will keep you updated. I ate fufu with ilasa & goat meat.
While some are throwing refuse on our streets & blocking the gutters, others are standing on street corners, saying shamelessly ebi pa mi, while they have two working hands and feet.
Mama Latifat, on the other hand, goes from house to house with a smile on her face, collecting recyclable waste to make an honest day of living for herself & her family. I’m so proud of all the mama Laifat’s in Naija God bless you well, and may your efforts bear positive fruits.
In these hard times of PMS hikes & general inflation, when it’s so difficult for most to make ends meet. Are you a Mama Latifa or an Ebi Pa Mi person? You know yourself, lol 😃😀😂
What’s your view? Please share, thanks.
Femi Oke Betta9ja
