‘Farming has made me financially independent’
Jane Aniema Inyang is a 2012 graduate of genetics and biotechnology with a passion for farming. She speaks on the reason she chose to become a farmer, the prospects and challenges, in this interview with OLUYINKA ALAWODE. Excerpts:
Background
I studied genetics and biotechnology at the University of Calabar. I graduated in 2012. Immediately after, I started crop farming on the backyard in my family home in Benin City, Edo State. After my NYSC programme that ended October last year, I included poultry production, starting with 33 birds. I grow pumpkin, yam, cassava, plantain, cocoa-yam, and some other crops like vegetables, pepper, tomatoes. We sell the pumpkins, plantains and yams on demand and consume the rest at home.
Inspiration
I started because I wanted to be financially independent now and financially free in future. I wanted a business I can start with a small amount of money, that I can wake up, go there and do something that would yield money, and farming has been the best option. The place I use belongs to our landlord, but he is not charging us any money for the land in our backyard. It allows me to get some funds instead of depending on my parents for stipends after graduation.
Knowledge
When we were much younger, my parents did farming on part-time and it was from there I learnt and became passionate about farming. I have been able to recover the small amount of money, about N20,000, that we invested in seeds and stems for planting and much more than that because there are still crops on the field and some we just harvested. For the birds, I have earned over N10,000 and by the time I sell all I have, I’ll get N50,000. They may be sold off before Easter in April, because I shall start going to eateries to inform them of the stock I have for sale.
Challenges
My main concern is that the land I use currently does not belong to my family, so I cannot erect any permanent fixture. The birds need a proper pen, to shield them completely from sun rays. We keep them in cages and use some improvised materials to provide shade.
Future prospects
Farming is a big business, I have started small, so I want to grow the business. If I get any job, I’ll do it on a part-time basis to get money to grow my farm. With or without a white collar job, I am determined to grow this business. Currently, to get funds to grow my agribusiness, I do some other production – I produce home care products – toilet wash, liquid soap. I take them round to schools and hotels for sale. The profit I get from these is ploughed into growing my agribusiness. Contrary to what many people think, farming does not take all the time a person has. The money I am raising will be used to stock up birds of different ages, so that every month, I would have birds that are mature enough to be sold as meat.
Fulfilment
It has been worth it. When I tell people I am into farming business, some encourage me but most say discouraging things like ‘the business is risky, chickens die easily.’ But I have learnt the causes of deaths in chicken and I know how to guard against them.
Some friends ask why I chose farming of all businesses, saying it is their grandmother in village that does farming. But I find fulfilment in it. It is my business but family members currently assist me.