I’ll be a farmer till the end — Malam Yahuza

Did you start farming in the North before coming to Lagos?Of course yes! I started farming before coming to Lagos. I can say I inherited farming from my parents. I have been doing farming in our village called Durum in Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State. I can say I am versatile in farming. […]

Did you start farming in the North before coming to Lagos?
Of course yes! I started farming before coming to Lagos. I can say I inherited farming from my parents. I have been doing farming in our village called Durum in Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State. I can say I am versatile in farming. I am a professional farmer who has vast experience. That is why I refused to abandon the profession and I will remain in it to the end of my life.
Why did you decide to migrate from the North where farming is more lucrative to Lagos State?
Everything is controlled and destined by God Almighty. If God Almighty says you must live, work and earn something in a given place, there is no way you will avoid it.  Therefore, destiny made me to be in Lagos and became a famous farmer. As I’m talking to you, I am doing farming profitably. I’m planting and cultivating maize, Iwedu leaf, vegetables and okra.
What are the challenges you face in the course of your farming in Lagos?
I am facing serious challenges. At times, during rainy season especially, my farm used to get flooded and my farm produce destroyed. Another thing is lack of fertiliser. We don’t get fertiliser from government. Sometimes, the fertiliser is scarce and if you go to the market to buy, you won’t get it. Even if you are lucky to get it, you can’t afford it because the price would be expensive. Insects like ants and magus are worrying us. They eat our plantation and obliterate it rapidly. Here, in Lagos, they have lots of insects that are risky to our farms. As a farmer, you have to be vigilant and check your farm constantly to get rid of these insects. Thieves steal our farm produce and cattle herders destroy our farms. These are other challenges we face. Sometimes I have to spend the night in my farm to make sure that nothing happens to it.
Did you get any financial assistance from federal or state governments?
I have never got any assistance from the governments, either in cash or in kind. As I told you earlier, I spent 25 year in this business in Lagos but I never got free fertiliser in subsidised rate. I have been doing it alone without any support from governments. I use what I have to fund my project.
You have farming experience in both the North and the South, how would you compare the two regions?
There are sharp differences between the two regions in terms of fertilisations, plantations and cultivations. Farming is easier in the North because our sand is more fertile than the sand in the South. There are seeds that could not be planted in Lagos, like tomatoes, onions, rice and other things. I tried my best to plant some of these things but couldn’t grow due to soil difference. In fact, farming in the North is easier and less expensive, while in the South is harder and more expensive.
Do you have plans to go back to the North and continue farming?
Yes! I have plans to go back to the North, where I came from, to continue my farming. Everything is ordained by God. It is God that decides your future, If He says I should go back home, who am I to say no, and if He says I have to continue farming in Lagos, nobody would stop it.