Growing up, I always wanted to be a farmer. While most of my classmates dreamed of becoming lawyers, doctors, pilots, or engineers, I was drawn to something different. I remember we were once asked to share our dream jobs in class, and when I said I wanted to become a mechanized farmer, everyone burst into laughter and started calling me "Agbe" which means farmer in English. At that moment, I felt a little out of place, but deep down, I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and it didn’t matter what anyone thought.
The reason I’ve always been passionate about farming is simple—I love animals. From feeding and grooming them to just spending time with them, is something that had always brought me immense joy.
When I was younger, I reared poultry birds at the back of our house. I noticed i developed a deep connection with those chickens, and they where almost like pets to me rather than livestock. I would spend hours feeding and caring for them, and when December rolled around, we’d slaughter them for Christmas.
While most people saw them as food, I saw the whole process as a fascinating part of nature. That experience was what made me realize that I wanted to study something related to animals, and from that moment, I knew agriculture was my calling.
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot of fascinating things about livestock farming. From poultry to pigs and even cattle, I’ve spent a lot of time studying different animals, their care, and their behavior. However, despite my broad and vast knowledge, I don’t think I would ever delve into cattle rearing due to the high costs involved.
Pursuing agriculture wasn’t an easy decision for me, especially because many people didn’t understand why I would want to choose this path. Some thought it was a waste of time and money, and others didn’t see the value in choosing farming as a career. Luckily, my mum and brother were always supportive. They encouraged me to follow my passion and even advised me to go for it because they knew it was what I truly wanted. Their support has been instrumental in my journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for them.
The truth is, I have always envisioned and see myself running a commercial farm, where i will be producing and selling agricultural products like eggs, not just within Nigeria but even exporting them internationally.
Most times people often underestimate farming, they do see it as a "dirty" job, but in reality, farming is far from that. It’s a highly rewarding career that can be incredibly profitable if done right.
The idea that farming is dirty normally comes from the manual labor involved, working with soil, or dealing with animal waste, but this view misses the bigger picture. Farming isn’t just about physical work; it’s about management, science, and innovation.
With modern advancements in agriculture, like mechanization and the use of technology, farming has evolved into a highly specialized field. It requires skill, knowledge, and strategic thinking . There is always going to be a huge difference between an agricultural educated person and an agricultural uneducated person.
Those who take the time to study and understand the science behind farming can manage their resources better, make smarter financial decisions, and ultimately, earn much more from their efforts. That’s why I believe going to school for agriculture is essential—it gives you the tools and ways to succeed.
At the end of the day, farming is what I love, and I know it’s the right path for me. While others may laugh or not understand, I’ve stayed true to my passion. Farming may not have the same prestige as some other careers, but it’s meaningful, and for me, that’s more important than anything.
All images are mine.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
