My Venturing into Farming Is Part of My Contribution To Nigeria’s Economic Development – Ijalana

Abisola Ijalana is a farmer and runs M12 Farms.She is also the Head Photographer and CEO of M12 Photography in Lagos, Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

She is an alumna of the British Council Creative Enterprise Programme and the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) Mentoring Training Programme. In this interview with THISDAY she shares her journey into farming, love for photography and other issues

Can you put us through your journey in agriculture?

I have always loved the idea of a farming/ agriculture business from my childhood. Food is a necessity for human survival. Without food there will be no life. It is not just for us to have food to eat, but the food must be healthy and hygienic.

My motivation for starting M12 Farms was borne out of my desire to provide Nigerians with healthy, hygienic and fresh foods. It is also to heed the call of the federal government for Nigerians especially the youths to embrace agriculture.

My venturing into agriculture is part of my contribution to Nigeria’s economic development. I am also in my own way contributing to eradication unemployment through through the workers employed on my farms. I’ve been into this business for three years now.

What were the hurdles you had to cross when you started the business?

Like most businesses there are challenges when starting and running an agricultural business. Some these include: 1. Challenges with movement of farm products from the points of harvest to the points of sales 2. The perishable nature of farm products before sales 3. Getting farm workers with knowledge and dedication was challenging

As a woman into agriculture, how has the journey been so far?

There are quite a number of women who are involved in agriculture in one way or the other. Even in the olden days women go to the farms to help feed their families and sell some of the farm produce to earn money.

Being a woman as not in any way prevented my active involvement in my agricultural business pursuits. I have attended a number of trainings in agriculture which has prepared me for my agriculture business enterprise. I am also learning on the job

There is been different stories about insecurity in which people shared sad stories, can you tell us your own experience?

Insecurity is a major problem in running an agriculture business in Nigeria. There have been reports of farmers being attacked on their farms, on their way or to their farms.

There have been reports in several parts of the country of killings and kidnappings. Beyond the physical attacks on persons, there are also reports of damages to farm products. Personally I have run into gun men attacks during one of my farm visits.

Transportation of agricultural produce from the farm to the market can pose some challenge. How do you get logistics for your goods?

Ans: We currently hire trucks to move our products from the farms to the buyers. We also work with off-takers to purchase our goods. Off-taking is an arrangement in which buyers commit to purchasing our agricultural produce under agreed terms which gives us the certainty of ready buyers before planting

What do you like most about what you do?

Doing what I have always had passion for serves as a source of inspiration for me. In spite of challenges, it has been a rewarding experience so far. From planting of crops to harvesting to sales I have learnt a lot about the business. Also being able to provide jobs for those working on my farms is a source of inspiration.

You are also into photography. What inspired you to be a professional photographer?

My going into photography was something that was borne out passion. I have always loved taking pictures from a young age. Upon my graduation from the university and completiin of the National Youth Service programme some years back, I decided to be an entrepreneur.

Going into photography naturally came to my mind as the business to start. My journey over the years has been rewarding. From a start up photography business to a well known brand in the photography business in Nigeria today.

How do you manage work and family life?

It has been interesting managing family life and my work. I would say I have been able manage the multiple roles with the support of my family. I have been able to schedule well my family life with the demands of my work.

Most of my photography jobs are on bookings, so I have a good idea of when my photo shoot assignments are scheduled.

I mostly utilize the days when I am not doing a photo shoot for clients to visit my farms. However I am in always in constant touch with happenings on my farms as I regularly receive daily reports from staff members.

What valuable lessons have you learnt in your work?

I have learnt that passion can drive you to a business but dedication and resilience makes you stay on the business. This is because challenges will come in the course of running a business. It can be operational challenges, staffing challenges, finance challenges, regulatory challenges, environmental challenges etc

What positive changes would you like to see in agricultural sector in Nigeria?

I will like to see more of finance support opportunities for those currently running agricultural businesses and for those considering coming into agriculture. Also training is very essential in agricultural business. I will love to see more agricultural related trainings organized by government agencies, private organizations at free or minimal rates to encourage more people to come into agriculture and as continuous development for those currently engaged in agriculture. Also no business can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity. I will like to see improved security all around the country so that farmers can work on the farms without fear of attacks and those displaced from farmlands can return to work to boost the country’s food production.

What’s your advice to younger entrepreneurs?

My advice young entrepreneurs is that running a business requires dedication, commitment and an appetite for taking risks. They need to study the business they want to go into or are running. They need to understand that businesses also have their own challenges. They need to understand the market. Understand the needs of the customers in their business market. Have products to satisfy these needs and importantly have good customer service. Also they need adequate training for their area of business.