The increasing revenue from hybrid crops, such as watermelon, is attracting young entrepreneurs to farming. DANIEL ESSIET reports.
Jasper Chidera Ezirim is a graduate of economics. He had his career plan mapped out. After school, he went into international trade. Like many youngsters, he had little interest in farming. He wanted to go into a lucrative industry. In places like Owerri, the Imo State capital, where the population prefers trading, lack of suitable and affordable technologies and inadequate financial services for small-scale farmers lead to low agricultural productivity. This makes the sector unattractive to youngsters.
Along the line, his business failed and he was jobless for some time. To keep himself busy, he decided to plant cucumber on a small piece of land around his house. The harvest within three months was amazing. He realised that profitable farming could be the answer to unemployment as it provides year-round income. Ezirim started his agribusiness formally in 2011. He is now growing watermelon and cucumber in Owerri.
He earns up to N250,000 in three months from one acre of watermelon, as demand for the vegetable keeps rising. He also grows cucumber, which earns him between N150,000 and 250,000 in gross incomes in three months. This is far higher than what other crops will fetch him. He is full of joy whenever he harvests his watermelon because his hybrid variety helps him to get more tonnes per acre. Besides, it is bigger and weighs heavily on scales.Today, he is a successful watermelon farmer and business owner. He chose farming over white-collar job, because he realised farmers could earn a good income. He is following in the footsteps of his parents, who were also farmers.
From the returns he has recorded so far, cucumber is one crop every young farmer should cultivate to make more money, while avoiding competition with other vegetable dealers. This is because the demand for cucumber and watermelon is high in urban areas as Nigerians with health interest believe the crops possess incredible nutritional benefits.
Unlike other crops that are fortified with nutritional elements to boost the fight against malnutrition, cucumber and watermelon have a major advantage of containing many nutrients that it does not need to be fortified. This makes it a more cost-effective option, not to mention a healthier one.
Experts said regular consumption of cucumber helps to keep the skin well-toned, regulates blood pressure and contributes to the proper structure of connective tissues in the body, including those in the muscles, bones, ligaments, cartilage, and tendons, while watermelon, described as one of the most powerful, body-healing fruit, has the capability to boost immune support, speed wound healing and prevent cell damage.
With these crops, he said a farm venture can produce over 300 per cent Return on Investment (RoI) annually. The major problem, according to him, is not doing it well, because one can use minimum input to get maximum output.
He said that, from his experience, making millions as a farmer is easy and can be done in a short time, stressing that all that is needed is, at least, a hectare of land and any of the good vegetables.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of Fastlane Farms, Jerry Obamwonyi, is one of the young people who has joined the bandwagon. His farm is in Edo State.
Before he embarked on watermelon farming, he surveyed growing areas. What he saw convinced him that the returns from the crop would be better. He said his earnings from the first yields of the crop were impressive. Today, he is happy to concentrate on the crop that has helped to transform his life. Obamwonyi said: “Watermelon agribusiness can be very lucrative within a short period of time. One can start off with as little as between N30,000 to N60,000 and be sure to make between N300,000 – N700,000 or more from an hectare.
“Whoever wants to generate quick wealth from producing watermelon should try getting the knowledge or training from an experienced farmer who’s into the business.”
He saw other farmers growing crops and did not understand why they don’t grow such crops. He has been able to produce watermelon without using any crude implement like cutlass or hoe, from planting to harvesting. He utilises chemicals even during weeding.
It takes him approximately 70 to 90 days for planting and harvesting watermelon, depending on the viability of the hybrid seeds used.
His common watermelon varieties include sugar baby, sangria, jubilee and orangeglo and golden midget. They are available in most local agro-related shops nationwide. And the price depends on location. The price may have gone up with inflation. Generally, 500grs hybrid watermelon seeds for planting cost between M4,000 and N7,000. For him, the most critical part of the agribusiness is caring for watermelon. This involves getting rid of weeds with pesticides, insecticides and deploying fertiliser.
This is vital since these things must be given at various developmental stages in the 70 to 90 days production cycle.
He said the treatments, including fertilizers and insecticides, fungicides, and pesticides must be given not only to prevent or control pests and diseases but to also enhance foliar growth to boost production.
The other young farmer making money from farming is Chief Executive, Natural Nutrient Limited, Adeniyi Sola Bunmi. Based in Ogun State, Adeniyi said the influx of young professionals into farming and agribusiness has begun to change a long-held view of agriculture as the nation’s most impoverished and antiquated sector. He is at the forefront of profitable farming systems, giving farmers the tools they need to thrive.
He has established a business from Morin-ga and is making money processing its roots, leaves, seeds, oil, and flowers, after undergone training.
After processing in his factory, the various products are supplied to buyers and distributors in and outside the country. He has a successful business supplying Moringa products.
According to him, young farmers are now involved in the cultivation of vegetable crops, such as tomato, chilli, onion, cowpea, green peas and other leafy vegetables with increased yields.
He highlighted the critical role of new plant varieties and high quality seeds in sustainable agriculture.
According to him, research institutes are working on the development of better varieties/hybrids and technologies. The varieties, he explained, are resistant to multiple diseases and pests, give higher yield and better quality produce suitable for long distance markets and for export.
He said his organisation was promoting an initiative to steer young people towards agriculture with quick returns.
Adeniji said agriculture and agro-industry were the nation’s fastest-growing sector. His goal is to change the perception among youths that farming is for the poor.
Chief Executive, Agro Info Tech, Mr Oluwa Ayo Okediji, believes young people are not attracted to agriculture because there have not been many farming success stories.
He said youths exploring opportunities in the agricultural sector face a number of challenges which include access to land, finance and markets.
Okediji said although access to land is fundamental to starting a farm, it is difficult for young people to access land. To change the situation, he said the sector needed policies that encourage access to land, credit and finance for youths.
This, according to him, may entice more youths to agriculture and contribute to the economy and food security.
