In the
spirit of the International youth day, which was yesterday, let’s reflect on
the Nigerian Youth and their ‘get rich quick through agriculture belief’. Most
Nigerian youth want to become cucumber, tomato farmer, or delve into one quick
returns agribusiness venture.
However, we fail to understand that just like you
learn to walk or the same way you need a product manual (guide) to efficiently
operate the product, you need a practical knowledge or training and not what
some internet marketer compile in an E-book, upload to their youtube channel or
post on their blogs for mostly traffic purpose.
Permit
me to cite an example using myself, I planted maize about 2-weeks ago (28th
of July precisely) using internet learnt knowledge, this is the 8th
day of August, and I am yet to see any sign of growth. Where did I get it
wrong? Instead of sowing the seeds, I buried them almost 6ft below (just
kidding). But then, no e-book or internet article will teach you how deep or
shallow you should bury the seed.
Back to
our discussion, several practising farmers have offered opportunities for
Youths to learn, rather, they (youths) choose to get a land, start planting and
the next thing is to start bombarding the farmer with calls and of course you
try to help a brother or sister by teaching them on phone and when this doesn't
work, they either fail or partly succeed below their numerous expectation! We
need to reset our mindset out of the default setting of ‘get rich quick through
agriculture belief’. Just like every other noble profession, it takes hard work
and perseverance to attain that super-height you crave for.
The
truth is; as a youth, you have a high tendency to succeed in agribusiness. My simple advice to you is; "do not invest your savings with the belief of making quick returns without
applying the following steps":
(1) Change your mindset from Get
Rich Quick to Get Rich from Farming Smart.
(2) Learn from a practical farmer,
learn everything. When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. From pre-planting
to planting, harvesting, post harvest management and Marketing.
This might be a short or very long time
depending on your guide (the farmer). Thus, you need to be focused.
(3)
After learning from your guide,
select an area in the agribusiness value chain of the crop(s) you learnt and
you are willing to practice.
(4) Next, design your production; processing;
post harvest management; and strategic marketing plans.
(5)
Take a bold step by starting
small scale farming. It can be 3 or 5 small garden beds. This first test is
called your prototype, keep notes and learn from this test. You might fail on
this one but never give up and note your mistakes.
(6)
Launch your product: Based on the
lessons learnt from your guide and prototype, start a larger scale farming, perfect
your idea and consciously make sure you don’t repeat the mistakes again.
(7)
Do not forget your guide
because there are some issues that can only be solved by experience.
I hope this write up challenges you to come
out of that cage and start something productive. Follow these steps and give me
a feedback, I will be glad to hear from you.
Visitors
Note: So glad you are here, were the tips helpful? Or
you want to add to the list. Don’t leave without dropping a comment. Enjoy the
rest of the day.
