Top 5 Agric Companies in Nigeria that farmers should learn from
Agriculture plays an essential role in sustaining and driving the economy. It’s the backbone of everything that drives us. In addition to providing food and other raw materials, it also provides employment opportunities. Safe to say the importance of agriculture cannot be overstated. Agriculture is important not only for the supply of food but also for the provision of raw materials for other industries such as textiles, sugar, jute, vegetable oil and tobacco. Agriculture is not only an occupation for people but also a way of life because most customs and cultures in the world revolve around agriculture. Civilization started with agriculture, and even today, it remains very important and plays a significant role in our lives. And while its significance may be even more pronounced in some countries than others, the reality is that every country depends on agriculture to sustain itself in one way or another. Agriculture is at the center of the Nigerian economy, providing the main source of livelihood for the majority of Nigerians. The farming sector in Nigeria employs about 70 percent of the entire country’s labor force. Nigeria’s small farms produce 80 percent of the total food and 33 percent of the country’s land is under cultivation for this purpose. This is the leading African country in farming because it has the highest levels of productivity and profitability in this particular sector. Agriculture in Nigeria is the foundation of the economy, as it keeps the people stable in the sense of helping people to keep body and soul together. For decades, agriculture has been associated with the production of food crops. However, the importance of agriculture goes above and beyond that, it’s evolved into forestry, fruit cultivation, beekeeping, arbitrary, mushroom, dairy, etc. Today, the processing, distribution, and marketing of crops and livestock products are all acknowledged as a part of agriculture.
Before the advent of crude oil, agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy. Then, the country’s economy thrived; food was available and affordable. People, therefore, did not go hungry. With the oil boom era, the country and its people shifted attention from agriculture to oil and gas. Subsequently, graduates of Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics etc., looked for white-collar jobs in banks and other seemingly lucrative areas, including oil and gas. Little did people know that those who remained in agriculture would today be raking in millions and billions of naira, as their products now grace both local and international markets. This gives an impeccable signal that agriculture is, perhaps, more viable than other sectors. Also, it is an indication that well-planned investment in agriculture is not a futile effort. In this article, I will be looking at agric companies and farms of repute from which other farmers can pick one or two lessons for their own growth as well. It is to be noted, however, that this list is based on my personal opinion, observation and research and not an official list by approved any organizations or bodies.
- Obasanjo Farms
The Ota farm owned by the former president Olusegun Obasanjo is one of the largest farms in Nigeria boasting of a variety of poultry, livestock and food products. The large farm was formally opened on October 8, 1979, a week after Obasanjo handed over power to a civilian administration on October 1, 1979. At inception, the farm took off as Temperance Enterprises Limited (Farming Venture). It later became Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Limited. The mission of Obasanjo farms is to view agriculture as a vital and profitable industry as well apply its use to all spheres of life. Agriculture requires the introduction of technology and organization of entrepreneurship.
Top 5 Agric Companies in Nigeria that farmers should learn from
It contributes to the improvement of living standards and should provide for both the current generation and the future generations. Olusegun Obasanjo Farms are located in different parts of the country. They are managed by high-class experts in the agricultural field. Professionals from other economic sectors related to agriculture are also involved in their operations. The production of agricultural goods is carried out on more than 30 thousand hectares of land. More than 5500 workers are employed on the farms. The farm took off with two layer houses containing 100, 000 birds each and five broiler houses of 12,000 each, in addition to two feed mills of three tons per hour each. The large farm, which has up to 7,000 workers started with four bulldozer operators. Today, Obasanjo makes up to N34million daily from Ota Farm, which has branches in Ibadan and Igbo-Ora, Oyo State.
- Folawiyo Farms Limited
Folawiyo Farms Limited, located on Yinka Folawiyo Avenue, Apapa, Lagos, was incorporated on October 4, 1985. It carries out integrated agricultural production, with branches in several states in Nigeria. It is owned by renowned business tycoon, philanthropist and the Baba Adinni of Nigeria, the late Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo. In matters concerning agriculture, Folawiyo Farms stands tall in all aspects. They are into livestock farming, fish farming, flour milling, agro-chemical production and distribution, agricultural consultancy, development and engineering, production and supply of agro-pesticides, farm tools, fertilizer services, horticulture, and so on.
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- Jovana Integrated Farms
Jovana Farms is located in Mushin, Lagos. They specialize in the farming of animals such as grasscutters, rabbits, quail, antelope, guinea pigs and fish, and so on. The founder’s high-profile level of animal farming has taken him to over 30 states in Nigeria and to other countries as a seminar facilitator, advocate, training personnel and empowerment speaker. Just like any other company, Jovana Integrated Farms have a mission to be the number one livestock farm and company in Nigeria, and the vision is to drive food security across the nation that will take Nigerians out of food dependency to food sufficiency.
Top 5 Agric Companies in Nigeria that farmers should learn from
The goal of the farm is to foster an environment of creativity and innovation and as a result, re-establish a stable Nigeria in terms of agriculture and food production. The core values of the farming company are integrity, innovation, honesty, passion, team work, and excellent service delivery.
- Niji Farms
Niji farms is a very big farm located at Okeho, Oyo State, Nigeria. This farm is situated on over 5000 hectares expanse of land. It is own by Engineer Lucas Niji. The farm produces cassava, maize and yam, both as raw materials and finished goods. Different varieties of maize and cassava are put to practice in this farm which is affiliated to IITA. One interesting feature about this farm is that all the machineries used are designed by Engineer Lucas Niji, the CEO of the farm. Also, this farm produces finished products like Garri, Cassava Paste and Flour in large quantities.
- Oatvana Farms Nigeria Limited
Oatvana Farms Nigeria Ltd is a private indigenous farm corporation situated in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State Nigeria. Oatvana Farms Nigeria Limited is focused on plantation and poultry farming majorly. Oatvana Farms Nigeria Limited was founded with the sole purpose of generating financial activity, constructing an agricultural room, creating employment, eradicating poverty and producing income. Initially, Oatvana began with about 6000 birds which were later increased to more than 100,000 birds.
Top 5 Agric Companies in Nigeria that farmers should learn from
The farm is situated on a 50 acres expanse of land and because of the management’s quest for higher impact, the farm is constantly pushing for expansion. They’ve got the country’s biggest poultry farm and their palm tree reserve is also one of Nigeria’s biggest.
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