A CV is a written brief of an applicant’s past employment, education, skills, certifications and other achievements. Writing a CV is a crucial part of the job search. The consideration of your employer about you starts with your CV and as such, the CV is more than a document, it is you in the paper.
For every job opening, a recruiter has numerous applications
to go through and in order to save time and energy, received CVs are scanned
using sent to them quickly in order to proceed to the next stage which is the
interview.
While scanning, they choose CV’s of persons that specifically
stands out, CVs that attract their attention and build curiosity.
A CV is what explains your abilities and capabilities. It explains what you can offer and how you can offer it. It explains you to your employer in your absence. It stands in and appeals for you. Your CV gives your employer the first impression of you.
As an applicant, you are in the best place to determine if the impression that your CV would make of you is a good or a bad one. Here is a list of 5 reasons why your CV should be the kind that stands out.
5 Reasons Why Your CV Should Stand Out
A CV that stands out attracts attention and earns you an extra moment from the recruiter.
The exact purpose of a CV is to convince your employer how capable you are and how you can fit in best for the job. Writing a CV that stands out nominates you for the next stage of the recruitment.
It’s easy to recommend you if you have a CV that stands out because whoever reads your CV is able to have a good understanding of who you are before even meeting you.
A CV that stands out can be used for multiple applications
More so, a CV that stands out reminds you of your abilities and points out your weaknesses.
The Ultimate CV Workshop which is an online workshop organized by Farm Recruits will be taking place on Telegram on 20th of March. The workshop will be facilitated by Mobolaji Olorisade of The Skillup School. Mobolaji fondly called Mo is a teacher/trainer/educator who totally loves helping people build a successful career where tangible results can be seen. Over time, she has trained about 200 persons through different platforms. In 2019, 140 of her trainees were members of a closed community called Baobab Careers. This year, Mobolaji continues to expand her training community and it will be a great privilege to learn from her.
Take the opportunity of the Ultimate CV Workshop to master the art of preparing a standard CV by interacting with Mobolaji. With a well-constructed and detailed CV, you can be assured of better positioning for opportunities.
To register for The Ultimate CV Workshop with a fee of N1000, click on the register button below and proceed to make payment.
Our first encounter with Mr Okolo Samson of Value Seeds Limited was at an agribusiness industry event organized by OCP Africa. He was a panellist who talked about how improved seeds are of great importance to the developing agricultural space. Seeds are the basic input that we need to actually engage in agriculture and it is important that we use best-valued seeds as well as work hard at improving the available seeds so as enable high yield outputs.
Apparently, Value Seeds is a Northern based seeds company in Nigeria with a focus on increasing farmers’ yields, nutrition and livelihood. This indigenous company engages in the research, multiplication, processing and distribution of hybrid seeds of improved varieties of crops.
Value Seeds Limited has supported more than 15,000 farmers in targeted interventions since 2016 with seeds of crops ranging from maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, millet, sorghum, cassava and wheat to vegetables including tomato, okra, onion, cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, hot pepper, sweet pepper, watermelon, carrot, amaranths and several spices. Read our interview to find out more about Mr Samson Okolo who is the business development officer of this high impact company.
@farmrecruits: Hello sir, what’s your name? What’s the name of your agricultural venture?
@farmrecruits: Can we have a piece of very brief background information about your first encounter with agriculture?
Mr Okolo: Growing up, I had my father, a federal civil service worker farming on a small scale of cassava, yam and maize farms and I was always passionate about visiting these farms with him. My first time on a yam farm at Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA Ebonyi state was memorable. I fell more than 3 times getting my foot entangled with grasses. Nevertheless, it was a great experience because I asked a lot of questions that gave accurate answers to my imaginations. That day marked the beginning of my interest not only to farming but also to seeking more understanding of how we get the food we eat from crops or plants.
@farmrecruits: How did you start your agribusiness? When did you start it?
Mr Okolo: I studied Agricultural Economics and Extension first degree. After graduation I worked with a micro-finance bank for a year, I worked with a CSO on advocacy for peace and national unity but in all of these, I found no satisfaction. Then I took an interest in growing crops with a passion to become a solution provider to farmers. Not really because they are farmers but because they are financially constrained and often without available listening hears for their problems.
That passion overwhelmed me in 2013 and I took the bold step, carried out a market survey to know the difference in prices of produce in the market, compared the prices to their EOP (Economics of Production) then justified if it was worth an investment. After a discouraging farm trial, I conceived the idea to boost yield which is burdened on the failure of inputs and GAP among farmers. This led me to take a Master’s degree program in Agribusiness Management and that was how I really began this journey.
@farmrecruits: Was it something you just had the passion about or you identified a need and took the opportunity?
Mr Okolo: As earlier stated, I had a passion that was thrilled by the opportunity. Not for Money but for service to humanity. To see a society that is hunger-free, poverty eradicated and driven by youths in Agriculture.
@farmrecruits: What’s the main goal of your company?
Mr Okolo: To lead the transformation of the seed system in West Africa.
@farmrecruits: What inspires you to work every day?
Mr Okolo: The passion to progressively bridge the gap between research and commercialization of innovative agricultural technologies, increasing farmers yields, enhancing nutrition and building livelihoods through expertise, leveraging on technology and being a customer-centric seed company.
@farmrecruits: How much of your company objectives can you say you’ve achieved so far?
Mr Okolo: Objectives for an organization are inexhaustible, this is because every day on the journey you fail, learn and win. In doing so you see needs, problems and in solving the challenges you set or update your set objectives to meet wants. Achieving any set objective in its entirety is arriving too early. Nevertheless, for daily, weekly, monthly and annual targets it is positive for us at Value Seeds.
@farmrecruits: Currently, what’s the size of your workforce?
Mr Okolo: 51 permanent jobs and up to 50 temporarily hired labour
@farmrecruits: Wow! That’s large! What’s your most updated opinion about agriculture in Nigeria?
Mr Okolo: Agriculture in Nigeria is at the verge of its success story but for the recent venom of corruption in Agriculture. Just like a toddler trying to play baseball, we are meant to sacrifice selflessly till we climb a height high enough to look down with deceit. So much agricultural achievements on paper, little to show for it. So much sweet-talking of agricultural prowess, more craving to import food for support. So much support to farmers on media, yet we see the rise in poverty. All is a product of corruption from the Government and all of us who are not fighting it. If we bring total transparency to Agriculture, Nigeria will change in 5years for better.
@farmrecruits: What advice would you give the Nigerian youth in agriculture?
Mr Okolo: All youths in Agriculture should know that it is our future. We must be transparent, committed and work with total integrity to secure tomorrow. Furthermore, to succeed, you must work, work, and work. Never give up on the set goals, never let go of your future. When everyone doubts your vision, you should always know you have you. Believe in yourself and you will see the light at the mid-way of the tunnel.
@farmrecruits: Will you be willing to take on new employees in the coming weeks? If yes, will you mind engaging a recruitment platform for the process?
Mr Okolo: For the coming weeks no, but we are expanding and it is a definite time to brace the workforce. When we are set we will surely need one.
@farmrecruits: That’s fantastic. So, if you are to suggest a hashtag for this interview, what would it be?
Mr Okolo: #agribusinessthefutureforall#
@farmrecruits: Thank you, Mr Samson!
It is amazing to know about how people start their businesses and it is fabulous knowing about the passion that sparks these businesses. Value Seeds Limited has a track record of immense impact on agriculture in the Northern area and they recently carried out a project in some parts of South-west. With the existence of companies like Value Seeds, farmers can be guaranteed of selectively bred seeds that will improve their crop yields.
We particularly value Mr Samson Okolo’s advice for the youths and we urge every youth player in agriculture to not give up on their dreams as we are all engaged in the collaborative effort to improve Nigerian agriculture.
Our first encounter with Mr Okolo Samson of Value Seeds Limited was at an agribusiness industry event organized by OCP Africa. He was a panellist who talked about how improved seeds are of great importance to the developing agricultural space. Seeds are the basic input that we need to actually engage in agriculture and it is important that we use best-valued seeds as well as work hard at improving the available seeds so as enable high yield outputs.
Apparently, Value Seeds is a Northern based seeds company in Nigeria with a focus on increasing farmers’ yields, nutrition and livelihood. This indigenous company engages in the research, multiplication, processing and distribution of hybrid seeds of improved varieties of crops.
Value Seeds Limited has supported more than 15,000 farmers in targeted interventions since 2016 with seeds of crops ranging from maize, rice, soybean, cowpea, millet, sorghum, cassava and wheat to vegetables including tomato, okra, onion, cabbage, cucumber, lettuce, hot pepper, sweet pepper, watermelon, carrot, amaranths and several spices. Read our interview to find out more about Mr Samson Okolo who is the business development officer of this high impact company.
@farmrecruits: Hello sir, what’s your name? What’s the name of your agricultural venture?
@farmrecruits: Can we have a piece of very brief background information about your first encounter with agriculture?
Mr Okolo: Growing up, I had my father, a federal civil service worker farming on a small scale of cassava, yam and maize farms and I was always passionate about visiting these farms with him. My first time on a yam farm at Ngbo, Ohaukwu LGA Ebonyi state was memorable. I fell more than 3 times getting my foot entangled with grasses. Nevertheless, it was a great experience because I asked a lot of questions that gave accurate answers to my imaginations. That day marked the beginning of my interest not only to farming but also to seeking more understanding of how we get the food we eat from crops or plants.
@farmrecruits: How did you start your agribusiness? When did you start it?
Mr Okolo: I studied Agricultural Economics and Extension first degree. After graduation I worked with a micro-finance bank for a year, I worked with a CSO on advocacy for peace and national unity but in all of these, I found no satisfaction. Then I took an interest in growing crops with a passion to become a solution provider to farmers. Not really because they are farmers but because they are financially constrained and often without available listening hears for their problems.
That passion overwhelmed me in 2013 and I took the bold step, carried out a market survey to know the difference in prices of produce in the market, compared the prices to their EOP (Economics of Production) then justified if it was worth an investment. After a discouraging farm trial, I conceived the idea to boost yield which is burdened on the failure of inputs and GAP among farmers. This led me to take a Master’s degree program in Agribusiness Management and that was how I really began this journey.
@farmrecruits: Was it something you just had the passion about or you identified a need and took the opportunity?
Mr Okolo: As earlier stated, I had a passion that was thrilled by the opportunity. Not for Money but for service to humanity. To see a society that is hunger-free, poverty eradicated and driven by youths in Agriculture.
@farmrecruits: What’s the main goal of your company?
Mr Okolo: To lead the transformation of the seed system in West Africa.
@farmrecruits: What inspires you to work every day?
Mr Okolo: The passion to progressively bridge the gap between research and commercialization of innovative agricultural technologies, increasing farmers yields, enhancing nutrition and building livelihoods through expertise, leveraging on technology and being a customer-centric seed company.
@farmrecruits: How much of your company objectives can you say you’ve achieved so far?
Mr Okolo: Objectives for an organization are inexhaustible, this is because every day on the journey you fail, learn and win. In doing so you see needs, problems and in solving the challenges you set or update your set objectives to meet wants. Achieving any set objective in its entirety is arriving too early. Nevertheless, for daily, weekly, monthly and annual targets it is positive for us at Value Seeds.
@farmrecruits: Currently, what’s the size of your workforce?
Mr Okolo: 51 permanent jobs and up to 50 temporarily hired labour
@farmrecruits: Wow! That’s large! What’s your most updated opinion about agriculture in Nigeria?
Mr Okolo: Agriculture in Nigeria is at the verge of its success story but for the recent venom of corruption in Agriculture. Just like a toddler trying to play baseball, we are meant to sacrifice selflessly till we climb a height high enough to look down with deceit. So much agricultural achievements on paper, little to show for it. So much sweet-talking of agricultural prowess, more craving to import food for support. So much support to farmers on media, yet we see the rise in poverty. All is a product of corruption from the Government and all of us who are not fighting it. If we bring total transparency to Agriculture, Nigeria will change in 5years for better.
@farmrecruits: What advice would you give the Nigerian youth in agriculture?
Mr Okolo: All youths in Agriculture should know that it is our future. We must be transparent, committed and work with total integrity to secure tomorrow. Furthermore, to succeed, you must work, work, and work. Never give up on the set goals, never let go of your future. When everyone doubts your vision, you should always know you have you. Believe in yourself and you will see the light at the mid-way of the tunnel.
@farmrecruits: Will you be willing to take on new employees in the coming weeks? If yes, will you mind engaging a recruitment platform for the process?
Mr Okolo: For the coming weeks no, but we are expanding and it is a definite time to brace the workforce. When we are set we will surely need one.
@farmrecruits: That’s fantastic. So, if you are to suggest a hashtag for this interview, what would it be?
Mr Okolo: #agribusinessthefutureforall#
@farmrecruits: Thank you, Mr Samson!
It is amazing to know about how people start their businesses and it is fabulous knowing about the passion that sparks these businesses. Value Seeds Limited has a track record of immense impact on agriculture in the Northern area and they recently carried out a project in some parts of South-west. With the existence of companies like Value Seeds, farmers can be guaranteed of selectively bred seeds that will improve their crop yields.
We particularly value Mr Samson Okolo’s advice for the youths and we urge every youth player in agriculture to not give up on their dreams as we are all engaged in the collaborative effort to improve Nigerian agriculture.
At FarmRecruits, we are committed to bringing to you stakeholders in agriculture, people who can share their experiences so far in the sector and how it can be of benefit to the populace. Recently, we were privileged to interview the well known, aeroponics and hydroponics advocate, Mr Samson Ogbole.
Mr Samson Ogbole is a co-founder at PS Nutraceuticals. PS Nutraceuticals is an agritech company that is focused on food production with climate smart technology and also including the practice of soilless farming; aquaponics, hydroponics and aeroponics. The mission of the company is to ensure that food is the drug that makes people live longer and healthier.
Mr Ogbole Samson is also involved in training and educating the public on how to practice various techniques of soilless farming. The company is located in Ikoyi Lagos and the farm is in Wasimi, Ogun state.
Mr Samson shared his experience and knowledge so far in agriculture and we hope you learn some things as you read through this interview.
@farmrecruits: Hello sir,
What’s your name? What’s the name of your agricultural
venture?
Mr Samson Ogbole: I am Samson Ogbole, co-founder, PS Nutraceuticals International Limited.
S
@farmrecruits: Can you share with us a very brief background information about your first encounter with agriculture.
Mr Samson: My first encounter was with grandparents while growing up. Professionally, it was with IITA during my youth service under the leadership of Dr. Nobert Maroya, project leader for YIIFSWA. That is Yam Improvement for Incomes and Food Security in West Africa.
YIIFSWA is a project seeks to develop and establish a functional, commercial seed yam seed system in Nigeria and Ghana to benefit smallholder farmers through timely and affordable access to high quality seed yam tubers of improved varieties. You can read more about YIIFSWA here.
@farmrecruits: So, how did you start your agribusiness? When did you start it?
Mr Samson: I started in 2016 with the managing partner of PS Nutrac; Mr Peter Okocha Jnr, we met via twitter and since our ideas aligned, he had the business acumen and I had the technical know-how, we both wanted to use food as medicine.
@farmrecruits: Was it something you just had the passion about or you identified a need and took the opportunity?
Mr Samson: It was passion for health and life and I realized agriculture was the foundation for preventable medicine.
@farmrecruits: What’s the main goal of your company?
Mr Samson: Eat right, live longer.
@farmrecruits: That’s nice! Eat right, live longer. What inspires you to work every day?
Mr Samson: As long as hunger and diseases still exist, work still exists.
@farmrecruits: Right!
How much of your company objectives can you say you’ve achieved so far?
Mr Samson: We are still at the infancy stage despite the accolades we have gotten thus far which we do appreciate.
@farmrecruits: Currently, what’s the size of your workforce?
Mr Samson: Small scale.
@farmrecruits: What’s your most updated opinion about agriculture in Nigeria?
Mr Samson: We need to show what can be with what is (technology, automaton and AI) so we can drive future policies and show the proposing and practicing farmers why they should adopt the new with our results and well documented processes. It is not about the government, we can’t live decision fundamental to survival (food) to those whose time in office is calculated in tenures.
@farmrecruits: What advice would you give the Nigerian youth in agriculture?
Mr Samson: Agriculture is not plug and play, get your hands dirty, learn, be patient, it is “a marathon-relay” and not a sprint. You can’t do it all by yourself, and you can’t do it all in a day.
@farmrecruits: Will you be willing to take on new employees in coming weeks? If yes, will you mind engaging a recruitment platform for the process?
Mr Samson: That is the decision of the HR unit
@farmrecruits: If you are to suggest a hashtag for this interview, what would it be?
@farmrecruits: Oh wow! Thank you for having a session with us.
Mr Samson Ogbole is continually working effectively to promote the practice of soilless farming in Nigeria thereby reducing the rate at which we farm on land in order to create more space for the growing population and also aiming at reducing food insecurity in the country by producing food that cause less hazard to the health of man.
The system that Mr Ogbole practices for farming enables food production without seasonal restrictions and this would always make food available for the nation without having to depend on rain or seasonal supplies.
Mr Samson also sees this method of farming as one that should attract youths into agriculture and we also are of the opinion that youths should think and be open to learn from experts like him.
Very importantly, Mr Samson’s advice for the youth comes as a very insightful one; “Agriculture is not plug and play”. You have to put in the hard-work to get the results you desire. And the field of agricultural exploits is still very open because the world still lacks in providing food for everyone. So, if you join agriculture today, with the guidance of experts like Mr Samson or consulting firms like Bdellium Consult and Futux Consult, you sure would realize that your service is greatly valued by the world and it is something that you can make greatness of.
The world needs you, the world needs all of us.
As a youth looking to participate in agriculture, you can send your CV to hr@farmrecruits.com, you can also reach us if you need a consultant to work with you. We will get you the right firms. If you already have an agribusiness and you are looking to employ youths, kindly contact us and we will get you the right candidates.
Shortly before 1st of 0ctober which happened to be Nigeria’s independent day, we met Mr. Samuel Abanigbe who is the senior project manager at Bdellium Consult Limited. Bdellium Consult is an agribusiness consulting firm in Lagos which offers professional services to investors and active participants in Nigeria’s agribusiness. The organization has worked on numerous livestock and crop farm establishment projects with numerous organizations such as Financial institutions, International Non- Governmental Organizations, Smallholder farmers, large scale farmers in different states of Nigeria.
Aside being the Senior Project Officer at Bdellium Consult, Mr. Abanigbe is also currently the administrator of smallholder poultry forum.
It was great having him tell of his experience so far in agriculture and his opinion about the Nigerian agriculture. We hope that as you read this piece of interview, you will acquire more knowledge about agriculture in Nigeria.
@farmrecruits: Hello sir,
What’s your name? What’s the name of your agricultural
venture?
Mr. Samuel Abanigbe: I am Samuel Abanigbe and I work at Bdellium Consult Limited in Oregun, Lagos.
@farmrecruits: Can you give us a very brief background information about how your first contact with agriculture?
Mr. Abanigbe: Aside the traditional farming experiences from my late grandmother, the only impactful agricultural experience was in my secondary school, where I was selected as form 4 agricultural science student’s monitor. I supervised the activities of about 50 layers of Okota grammar school and later, during my national diploma programme in agricultural technology in school of agriculture, Lagos state polytechnic, Ikorodu)
@farmrecruits: How did you start your agribusiness? When did you start it?
Mr. Abanigbe: I started my agribusiness venture in the year 2011 prior to the year’s Christmas festival. I started by rearing post brooded broilers for a period of 8 weeks, I got my customers available and sold the birds at 3kg for an average price of N3000 per bird. One of the incentive to the sales was home delivery. As at then, my customers were just eight in number whom I sold over 20 live birds to.
Mr Abanigbe at a training in Imo State.
In 2015, I changed the dynamics of my business and started a full-fledged
livestock business where, I linked up with some broiler farmers and off took
their stock as early as first week of December, fattened them for ten days and
sold it using social media– WhatsApp & Facebook. In fact, I made a lot of
sales without owning a farm. Today, I distribute average of 200kg processed
chicken per week, almost 25kg pork per month and based on request sell mutton,
chevon, tilapia and cat fishes to various household within Lagos. The hallmark
of my business is the distribution of processed chicken to four different
frozen foods retailers in Ikorodu and this provided an achievement in providing
quality and safe food to different households in Ikorodu.
@farmrecruits: Wow, that’s so much to digest. So, what’s the main goal of your agri-business?
Mr. Abanigbe: To provide simple agribusiness support to different actors/stakeholders.
@farmrecruits: What drives you to go to work every day?
Mr. Abanigbe: Three things do:
My vast interaction with rural farmers especially,
smallholder poultry actors, and the meaningful changes I’ve been able to
contribute to their businesses encourages me to intensify efforts despite the
challenges in doing agribusiness on a small-scale.
Ability to provide Nigerian chicken to household
per week
Internal drive to be an important change-agent in
the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
@farmrecruits: How much of your company objectives can you say you have achieved so far?
Mr. Abanigbe: I can’t provide affirmative answer to this, but, I will say about 45%.
@farmrecruits: Currently, what’s the size of your workforce?
Mr. Abanigbe: About 10.
@farmrecruits: What is your most updated opinion about agriculture in Nigeria?
Mr. Abanigbe: From the experiences with small and medium scale agribusiness actors especially in the rural and peri-urban communities, I believe we are in a ‘state of emergency’ in the infrastructural needs of the country in terms of electricity and good roads network. It is certain that, agribusiness actors in Nigeria will provide quality foods for Nigeria, if these two infrastructures are attended to by the government. Enough, of paper agricultural reforms and policies in Nigeria.
Secondly, in the spirit of 59 years of the country, I have
read different achievement that agricultural produce like groundnuts, cocoa,
etc. provided for this country in the 70s and I say boldly, we want rare
agribusiness actors to manage the ministry of agriculture in Nigeria not
politician farmers or actors that are distorting the gains we were having
during the era of Dr. Adesina of AFDB as minister.
@farmrecruits: What advice would you give the Nigerian youths in agriculture?
Mr. Abanigbe: This is large, because I see many youths that are confused but want money and not ready to task their brain. Rather, than advising the youth, I will rather want a reorganization of our education curriculum to provide a platform for youths that have interest in society development not self. But, for this interview, I will say that the youths should remember that we are the future of this country and it is our responsibility to be an important actor that provides food on the table for ourselves and others, or else we will all starve or die of infections (due to bad food available even if we have the money.)
@farmrecruits: Will you be willing to take on new employees in coming weeks? If yes, will you mind engaging a recruitment platform for the process?
Mr Abanigbe: Not at the moment.
@farmrecruits: If you are to suggest a hashtag for this interview, what would it be?
Mr Abanigbe is doing a really impressive job on the poultry project embarked upon by SPFNigeria where they travel to different states in Nigeria to train small and medium scale poultry farmers on poultry commercialization.
He is an agricultural extension specialist who often carries out research in the area of sustainable development, sustainable management and agricultural production.
Realistically, for agricultural and economic in Nigeria and Africa, there is a continuous need for proper implementation of agricultural reform policies beyond the books. And, in this vein, Mr Abanigbe continuously put effort into making developmental changes in Nigerian agricultural sector by creating the necessary bridge between academic research and actual implementation of projects.
Despite his busy schedule, Mr Abanigbe further helps agribusinesses grow their areas of specialization through Bdellium Consult which provides a knowledge base for agricultural start-ups and assist in keeping businesses on their toes.
Putting into consideration, the massive agricultural revolution that is ongoing in Nigeria, youths and other actors of agriculture can take the opportunity of the knowledge base of people like Mr. Abanigbe for growth and expansion.
After publishing our interview with Miss Oyindamola Asaaju of Farm Republic, we proceeded to interview another agri-preneur who has worked with several farms in different parts of Nigeria. He is a consultant who travels, from Abeokuta where he has his company’s head office, to places like Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi on food safety and security missions. He helps in facilitating farm set up from land survey to marketing of farm products.
Aside from being a consultant, he is a food safety expert, researcher, value chain analyst, facilitator, rural sociology expert, public speaker and very importantly, he is the lead strategist of Futux Agri-consult.
Futux Agri-consult is an agribusiness firm that offers agri-businesss advisory services, food safety analysis, farm optimization, e-Extension services, value chain analysis, project development and management, farm valuation, market linkage and GPS service for confirmation of the geography of a farm land. They help in identifying agricultural resources and maximizing them to generate increased return.
Babatunde Olarewaju
We had a pleasant time chatting with this stakeholder and we hope that as you read this piece of interview, you will acquire knowledge from his experience.
@farmrecruits: Hello sir, can we know your name and the name of
your agricultural venture?
Mr. Babatunde Olarewaju: My name is Babatunde Emmanuel Olarewaju. I
work with FutuX Agri-consult Limited.
@farmrecruits: Can you give us a very brief background information
about how you first ever met agriculture?
Mr. Babatunde: I met with Agriculture in my 100Level after visiting
a village named “Aba gbooro”, for an outreach program. Prior to this day, I was
just studying Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology without direction
since I wanted to be a medical doctor was planning to write another jamb
examination. However, at Aba gbooro, speaking with the villagers with the
message of hope and their willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn birthed a
new passion in me. In other words, the village setting, the receptiveness of
the people I met (who happened to be farmers), and the calmness in my spirit
gave me the “yes or eureka experience” to dive headstrong into agriculture.
@farmrecruits: How did you start your agribusiness? When did you
start it?
Mr. Babatunde: I started this business long time ago but we became
an official organization on the 16th day of October 2017. The company was
incorporated in November, 2017.
I started my agribusiness by gathering
knowledge. And prior to the time of incorporation, I had acquired a lot and
also gotten a license as a GlobalG.A.P farm assurer. So, in 2017, I identified
all the services to provide, name of the company, logo and complimentary card.
I actually started very small and
worked with a lean budget to grow the business. I started as a lone soldier and
many days after start up, an intern, Yusuf, joined me to become “we”.
@farmrecruits: Was it something you just had the passion about or you identified a need and took the opportunity?
Mr. Babatunde: All of the above. The first thing was the passion,
then I identified a need and the opportunity came to implement it.
The issue of food safety is a
serious one because of its impact (as it pertains to public health).
@farmrecruits: So, what’s the main goal of your agri-business?
Mr. Babatunde: The main goal of the organization is to promote food safety (especially during the production process) and consumers’ protection. This is because farmers are the first contact of food and if safety is compromised, it can never be corrected throughout the value chain. So, we are employing both conventional and innovative ways to solve this. Our first approach is to train farmers (if you don’t train them, then you can’t blame them) on specific ways to ensure food safety during pre-planting, planting and post planting operations. Also, we monitor and evaluate their activities through Training & Visit.
@farmrecruits: What drives you to go to work every day?
Mr. Babatunde: The need for everyone to eat safe food every day.
Imagine eating poison voluntarily without knowing, whereas what you ate was meant
to be medicine.
@farmrecruits: That’s serious. How much of your company objectives
can you say you have achieved so far?
Mr. Babatunde: 30% of the objectives for now. We are gradually
expanding.
Currently, what is the size of
your workforce?
Mr. Babatunde: We are still few in number. We are 6 in number.
@farmrecruits: What is your most updated opinion about agriculture
in Nigeria?
Mr. Babatunde: Agriculture in Nigeria is growing but they are several
areas to improve upon. One of the areas, which is the most important is policy
implementation. For instance, the Green alternative is unable to achieve its
major objectives as a result of poor implementation. We need to identify
relevant tools and stakeholders for our policy implementation. Also, youth
involvement in decision making is very important to helping develop the sector.
Government needs to engage the youths more on trending issues in the
agriculture and address these concerns promptly.
Lastly, we need to develop a
blueprint for the agricultural sector for the next 10 to 20 years so as to have
clear-cut goals and clarity of the future. We can’t continue to hang on nothing
and be believing that we are secured. We must be deliberate about our plan.
Today, the world is talking about climate change and measures are put in place
whereas in Nigeria, lip service is the order of the day.
@farmrecruits: What advice would you give the Nigerian youth in
agriculture?
Mr. Babatunde: Stay focused and play your own role in contributing
to the growth and development of Agriculture in Nigeria (even if you are not
recognized or celebrated). Look beyond what Nigeria can offer you as a youth. Rather,
embrace the reality of today and work smartly to achieve the Nigeria’s dream
(just create one and help others to live it)
@farmrecruits: Will you be willing to take on new employees in
coming weeks?
Mr. Babatunde: Yes.
@farmrecruits: If you are to suggest a hashtag for this interview,
what would it be?
Mr. Babatunde: #MenInAgric
@farmrecruits: #MenInAgric? What about the women? Thank you, Mr. Babatunde.
Our interview
with Mr. Babatunde was mind blowing one and he really shed light into the fact
that there are opportunities in Nigerian agriculture. Going through the
services that he offers, you would wonder when agriculture got that far. But
well, that’s the 21st Century agriculture. A lot of things in the
world have evolved technologically and it is only natural that the same applies
to agriculture.
And with
agricultural consultancy such as what is offered at Futux, becoming a farmer is
definitely less daunting.
As butter
cream to the piece of cake of this interview, Mr. Babatunde studied in Obafemi
Awolowo University and graduated with a First Class. So, if you are thinking
that agriculture is only a resolve for people who are not so smart, you should
have a re-think. Because, it takes an intelligent mind to dig a hole, plant a
seed, nurture it right and make it safely available for consumption of people
around. Think about it.
Need we
announce that agriculture is the biggest thing in town? No. Agriculture is
speaking loudly enough.
At Farm Recruits, agriculture is our pride. It is our belief which we uphold highly.
We understand the art of agriculture and recognize that there are stakeholders who help achieve the goals of agriculture. They are the people who in one way or the other participate in the production and distribution of food as well as all kinds of resources which are necessary for the process. With these stakeholders, the narrative of agriculture has been a possible and attractive one.
Considering their immense impact, these stakeholders are regarded as, ‘The Agribusiness Role Models’ and as a way of celebrating them, at Farm Recruits, we’ve commenced a culture to tell the world about them.
Recently, we were privileged to have an interview with the CEO of Farm Republic. farmrepublic.ng offers exceptional services in the areas of market intelligence and farm linkage. They provide market intelligence to guide agribusinesses and agriculture enthusiasts in making informed decisions and set up farms with proper management from input supply to point of sales ensuring high quality.
During our meeting with her, she took us through her explosive journey in agriculture; How she got into agriculture, started her venture and what she has accomplished so far. Read on to find interesting things about her.
@farmrecruits: Hello ma, can you tell us your name and name of your agricultural venture?
Ms. Oyindamola Asaaju: My name is Oyindamola Asaaju, Founder/CEO of Farm Republic.
@farmrecruits: Can you give us a very brief background information about how you first ever met agriculture?
Ms. Oyin: I worked with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for about 4 years and that was my first contact with Agriculture. In those 4 years, I moved from being a baker, to a sales and marketing executive and then a project manager in the Youth in Agribusiness unit.
@farmrecruits: How did you start your company? When did you start it?
Ms. Oyin: Farm Republic was birthed in 2018 on the foundation of my experience at IITA. I discovered the many challenges faced by a lot of farmers in the market space. I worked with a production unit and also served as a sales and marketing executive, and this helped me to view market challenges from both sides. It was from these, that I formed a team to create sustainable market solutions for farmers in Nigeria.
@farmrecruits: Was it something you just had the passion about or you identified a need and took the opportunity?
Ms. Oyin: I developed a passion for Agriculture within those 4 years at IITA and I also saw an opportunity and created a solution from it.
@farmrecruits: What’s the main goal of your company?
Ms. Oyin: The goal of Farm Republic is to improve food security in Nigeria with the use of sustainable market solutions.
@farmrecruits: What drives you to go to work everyday?
Ms. Oyin: My amazing team. The solutions we are creating. The farmer out there who needs us.
@farmrecruits: How much of your company objectives can you say you’ve achieved so far?
Ms. Oyin: Achieving our objectives is a continuous process especially with scale and depth.
@farmrecruits: Currently, what’s the size of your workforce?
Ms. Oyin: 6.
@farmrecruits: What’s your most updated opinion about agriculture in Nigeria?
Ms. Oyin: Young people in their droves, are moving into the Agricultural space with a lot of innovation and this will force the relevant stakeholders to give it the required attention.
@farmrecruits: What advice would you give the Nigerian agricultural student or recent graduate?
Ms. Oyin: You don’t have to go into Agriculture to prove what you studied. And if you decide to, you also do not need to go into production except it is what you choose.
Whatever you decide, ensure you find someone who has gone ahead of you in that field. You don’t have to repeat their mistakes, you don’t have to be on the journey alone. Gain knowledge, gain exposure. Ensure you fuel your passion and you also pay your bills.
@farmrecruits: Will you be willing to take on new employees in coming weeks?
Ms. Oyin: In the coming months, yes.
@farmrecruits: If you are to suggest a hashtag for this interview, what will it be?
Ms. Oyin: #MyAgJourney
@farmrecruits: Hmmmm. Thank you Ms. Oyin.
Interviewing Ms. Oyindamola was a really insightful experience and yes, she will be recruiting in coming months hopefully through Farm Recruits. The part that we find most interesting is how she moved from baking business to agribusiness. Honestly, Miss Oyindamola is someone who does her job so well like she was born into it. Her gracefulness with agriculture makes her appear like she has practiced agriculture all her life. And, we cherish this about her.
In some previous interviews with other agricultural bodies, Ms. Oyin disclosed how she was inspired to start agribusiness by the then minister of agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina.
“As a server waiting on tables, serving drinks and food, and cleaning tables in 2013, I was struck and saved by Adesina’s motivational speech to staff when he visited Ibadan in 2014. That speech changed my life and led to the establishment of the IYA scheme. “
Since 2014, Ms. Oyin has led teams in managing variety of projects in the areas of production of major agricultural products such as cassava, rice, plantain, poultry and catfish in several states of Nigeria. She has also paneled a number of international agricultural conferences in Africa.
Ms. Oyin demonstrates a kind of tenacity in agriculture which we find to be model worthy for other youths interested in joining the agricultural sector.
As a country, Nigeria deserves more innovative practices in agriculture and it’s in this light that the youths are being called into this rich but not-so-easy economic sector. However, difficulty is supposed to make us think not flee. As youths, if we find it difficult using hoes and cutlasses, how about thinking of innovative ways to make the task easier?
There’s still so much to be done. There’s still so much wine untapped in agriculture. Thus, this is to serve as a call to action. If Ms. Oyin can move from baking to farming in her own innovative way, you also have something unique to offer. Think about it.
What can you do differently in the Nigerian agricultural space?
Farm Recruits 