‘How I started my 100-acre greenhouse farm’

‘Farmer’ Samson Ogbole, as he is fondly called, is a household name in the horticultural sector in Nigeria. He is the owner of a 100-acres greenhouse integrated farm (Soilless Farm Lab) in Nigeria and by extension in West Africa. The farm is located in Awowo, Ewekoro LGA of Ogun State and produces 23,000 metric tons […]

‘Farmer’ Samson Ogbole, as he is fondly called, is a household name in the horticultural sector in Nigeria. He is the owner of a 100-acres greenhouse integrated farm (Soilless Farm Lab) in Nigeria and by extension in West Africa. The farm is located in Awowo, Ewekoro LGA of Ogun State and produces 23,000 metric tons of spices annually. 

 

Birthing an idea

The young man’s interest in agriculture started during his NYSC program at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, Ibadan, Oyo State in 2012. In 2020, he started his own farm, the Soilless Farm Lab and five years later, he runs the largest greenhouse farm in the country – deploying precision agriculture on over 100 acres to ensure that the farm has year-round production without depending on seasonal elements. 

 

What the farm produces

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In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust during the HortiNigeria learning event, he explained what he produces in the farm: “I play around the horticultural value chain from primary production, processing and storage to distribution through our own logistics chain. So, we produce things like tomatoes, bell peppers, chili peppers, habanero peppers, Carolina reaper pepper, cucumbers, leafy veggies like lettuce, Swiss chard, and a whole lot.”

 

Started with knowledge

Asked how much he started the farm with, his response was: “I think trying to put a figure would sound misleading as opposed to saying I started with knowledge. I started with the knowledge I gained from IITA, and from a whole lot of other places. That was more than what money could give. So that’s where I started from.

“And I was also one of those that started with crowdfunding. And I also took out a loan from the bank at the point when I started in 2020. Looking at how far we have grown, it’s left for the valuation expert to say this is what the farm is worth.

“But having over 100 acres of greenhouse, for those that know the cost of a greenhouse, they can do their plus and minus. And having a processing facility that produces 23,000 metric tons of spices annually, that gives an idea.”

 

Partnership with HortiNigeria

“The partnership with HortiNigeria allowed us to have a partner to pilot new inventions with, new technologies with, so that we are able to see it work before we expand on it;  things like working on specific hybrid seeds from specific Dutch companies.

“We have things like different cold storage systems. We have technologies like a park house, ensuring we have a standard park house that allows us to get the ISO 22 000 and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). Ensuring that we are able to also pilot biogas technology to be able to produce energy from biogas.

“And this ensured that we are now able to set up our own poultry, where we have gas generated from the dome to process our fishes because we also have a part of aquaculture that we add to what we produce to supplement vegetables that we sell to our customers,” he said.

 

Start a farm, food is ageless

The young farmer said young people who think there is no money in agriculture should have a rethink, adding that in everything, attitude towards success is key.

“So, I would say, whatever you feel like doing, give it your best. But before you find what you want to do, give your best shot to whatever you find yourself doing. Meaning, whether you are a cleaner, a farmer, or whatever, give it your best.

“Food is one sector that will always be in vogue. Regardless of the level of civilization or evolution, food would always be there.

“So, agriculture is a sure bet to knowing that I would always be relevant. And if you are coming into agriculture, understand the science, understand the business, and marry both to create your own success,” he said.