Why you should set up farms as ‘biological assets’

Chief Felix Ebogor Ekol is a young and passionate farmer with over 72,000 cocoa trees, 50,000 plantain stands and thousands of economic trees, including avocado, pear and bush mango (ogbono), in Ikom, Cross River State. He owns Tymduar farms and foundation for teaching and supporting young farmers. In this interview with Daily Trust, he explains […]

Chief Felix Ebogor Ekol is a young and passionate farmer with over 72,000 cocoa trees, 50,000 plantain stands and thousands of economic trees, including avocado, pear and bush mango (ogbono), in Ikom, Cross River State. He owns Tymduar farms and foundation for teaching and supporting young farmers. In this interview with Daily Trust, he explains his concept of the ‘Biological Asset Farm Model’.

 

You described some farms as “biological assets.” What do you mean by that?

A biological asset is any living agricultural resource that has economic value and the ability to grow, reproduce and generate future benefits.

When we refer to a farm as a biological asset, we mean that every component of the farm is viewed as a wealth-producing asset. For example, 10,000 cocoa trees are biological assets; 5,000 plantain stands are biological assets; a fish pond stocked with fingerlings is a biological asset; a herd of cattle or pigs is a biological asset; and economic trees such as avocado, pear, bush mango and oil palm are biological assets.

Instead of measuring success only by harvests, we measure the value of the living assets being accumulated. This approach changes the farmer’s mindset from merely surviving from season to season to deliberately building long-term agricultural wealth.

What inspired your development of the ‘Biological Asset Farm Model?’

The inspiration came from years of observing why many farms fail despite huge investments. I discovered that most people focus on agriculture as an activity, while very few see it as an asset-building system.

Through years of practical farming, community development and agricultural consultancy, I realised that every productive plant, tree, livestock unit and agricultural ecosystem possesses measurable economic value and growth potential. A cocoa tree, oil palm, plantain stand or livestock herd is not merely a crop or animal; it is a living asset capable of generating income, appreciating in value and creating wealth over time.

This realisation led me to develop the Biological Asset Farm Model, which treats agriculture as a strategic investment portfolio rather than a seasonal occupation. The objective is to help farmers build wealth, not merely produce crops.

Today, the model forms the foundation of Tymduar Global Ltd’s agricultural development strategy across Nigeria.

How many farms have you assisted to establish using this model and what are their success rates?

Over the years, through Tymduar Global Ltd, we have directly and indirectly participated in the establishment, restructuring, expansion and management of numerous agricultural projects across Cross River State and other parts of Nigeria.

We have also worked with clients in the diaspora who monitor their farms remotely through CCTV systems linked to mobile applications, enabling them to provide direction and receive updates daily.

These projects include cocoa plantations, plantain and banana farms, integrated crop systems, youth empowerment farms, community demonstration farms, institutional farms and privately owned commercial agricultural investments.

The overwhelming majority of farms that faithfully implement the model continue to record positive growth because the focus is on asset accumulation, diversification, sustainability and long-term profitability rather than quick returns.

One of our greatest successes has been helping individuals with small landholdings transform them into productive agricultural estates capable of generating income for decades.

This year alone, more than 25 large-scale plantations have been established, some with no fewer than 7,000 stands of plantain, cocoa, ogbono, oil palm and other economic trees. Examples include Divine Providence Home Farms in Ogoja, Keyu Prime Farms in Calabar, Walter Omama Farms in Abuja and Great Danstel Farms in Asaba, among others.

We have also successfully applied the model at our Tymduar Farms, where thousands of biological assets have been established and continue to appreciate annually.

How do you assess the model’s acceptance among farmers, and do they genuinely support the concept?

The acceptance has been remarkable. Initially, many farmers were unfamiliar with the concept because traditional agricultural thinking focuses primarily on annual production and immediate income. However, once farmers understand that they are not simply planting crops but building appreciating assets, their perspective changes completely.

Today, many farmers, investors, youth groups, cooperatives, institutions and community leaders have embraced the model because it helps them understand the true value of what they are building.

The strongest support comes from farmers who have witnessed the growth of their plantations over time and can now see their farms as wealth portfolios capable of supporting future generations.

The model resonates strongly because it aligns agriculture with investment, business development, environmental sustainability and intergenerational wealth creation.

How do you envision Nigerians, particularly young people, leveraging this model to transform their lives?

I strongly believe that the Biological Asset Farm Model can become one of the most effective tools for youth empowerment in Nigeria.

Many young people are searching for opportunities, yet they often overlook the enormous wealth potential within agriculture. Imagine a young person deliberately building a portfolio of cocoa trees, oil palms, plantain stands, livestock, aquaculture units and economic trees. Over time, these biological assets grow, multiply and increase in value.

Rather than waiting endlessly for employment, young Nigerians can establish agricultural enterprises that become income-generating assets for decades.

My vision is to see millions of Nigerians transition from job seekers to asset builders. We have also proposed that the government support the establishment of such farms across different states, where young people can participate in hands-on training and empowerment programmes.

Agriculture must no longer be seen as a last resort; it must be recognised as a wealth-creation industry.

If properly embraced, the Biological Asset Farm Model can help reduce poverty, improve food security, create jobs, stimulate rural development and build a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

What is your message to Nigerians?

My message is simple: Stop looking at agriculture merely as farming. Start seeing it as the deliberate creation of biological assets.

When you plant a tree, establish a plantation, raise livestock or build a sustainable farm system, you are not just producing food; you are building wealth, creating opportunities and securing the future.

That is the philosophy behind Tymduar Global Ltd, and that is what I believe represents the future of African agriculture.