Lawrence Afere is an organic farmer
and founder of Springboard Nigeria, a social enterprise that uses
organic farming to create meaningful and responsible work for rural and
semi urban youth in Ondo State. He tells KEMI LANRE-AREMU about his preference for farming.
and founder of Springboard Nigeria, a social enterprise that uses
organic farming to create meaningful and responsible work for rural and
semi urban youth in Ondo State. He tells KEMI LANRE-AREMU about his preference for farming.
What schools did you attend?
I had my secondary school education at
Parker International High School, Akure. I studied Business Management
at Covenant University, Ota. I also studied Business and Social
Entrepreneurship at North Western University, USA; Kanthari
International Institute, India, and Do School, Germany. I also studied a
course on leadership at the International Institute for Global
Leadership, USA.
Parker International High School, Akure. I studied Business Management
at Covenant University, Ota. I also studied Business and Social
Entrepreneurship at North Western University, USA; Kanthari
International Institute, India, and Do School, Germany. I also studied a
course on leadership at the International Institute for Global
Leadership, USA.
Why did you decide not to utilise your business management degree?
In 2003, I studied Business Management
with the intention to graduate and get a high-paying job. My life
changed on November 17, 2006, and this change was triggered by a report
in the newspaper about the plight of over 30 million unemployed Nigerian
youths. It raised the question, what may happen to the country in 2020
if nothing was done to solve the situation. After reading the report, I
became sad and concerned. Immediately, I felt I might someday become a
victim of what this report says. And then my perspective shifted from
living for myself to finding a way to help the situation and also become
self employed. I found myself constantly thinking about this. After
graduating from the university in 2007, I returned to my town, Akure, to
pursue my dream of helping to create meaningful jobs for unemployed
youths.
with the intention to graduate and get a high-paying job. My life
changed on November 17, 2006, and this change was triggered by a report
in the newspaper about the plight of over 30 million unemployed Nigerian
youths. It raised the question, what may happen to the country in 2020
if nothing was done to solve the situation. After reading the report, I
became sad and concerned. Immediately, I felt I might someday become a
victim of what this report says. And then my perspective shifted from
living for myself to finding a way to help the situation and also become
self employed. I found myself constantly thinking about this. After
graduating from the university in 2007, I returned to my town, Akure, to
pursue my dream of helping to create meaningful jobs for unemployed
youths.
What spurred your interest in farming and organic food distribution?
In late 2008, I had an idea to start a
farm where we would cultivate and sell farm products. I shared my idea
with the unemployed young people in my church and five of them showed
interest and also invited nine of their friends. A parent, who was
interested in our idea, lent us seven plots of farmland at no cost. We
named the farm ‘Youth Farm Project’ and 15 of us began to cultivate the
land by planting maize. In the process, I realised that there is a
relationship between a farming process and entrepreneurship. The farming
process provides a practical experience for learning how to become an
entrepreneur. The project has given opportunities to unemployed youths
to generate some income.
farm where we would cultivate and sell farm products. I shared my idea
with the unemployed young people in my church and five of them showed
interest and also invited nine of their friends. A parent, who was
interested in our idea, lent us seven plots of farmland at no cost. We
named the farm ‘Youth Farm Project’ and 15 of us began to cultivate the
land by planting maize. In the process, I realised that there is a
relationship between a farming process and entrepreneurship. The farming
process provides a practical experience for learning how to become an
entrepreneur. The project has given opportunities to unemployed youths
to generate some income.
How did you prepare yourself for a career in farming?
I went to several farmers to learn. I
brought my uncle, who is a farmer, on board my project. I would ask many
questions about farming and spent many days working on the farm with
the youth I had recruited. Also, I watched several videos on sustainable
farming on YouTube and researched on sustainable agricultural practices
online and through site visits within and outside the country.
brought my uncle, who is a farmer, on board my project. I would ask many
questions about farming and spent many days working on the farm with
the youth I had recruited. Also, I watched several videos on sustainable
farming on YouTube and researched on sustainable agricultural practices
online and through site visits within and outside the country.
What are some of the challenges you face and still face?
A major challenge I faced was the
perspective of people towards youths in agriculture. If you are a
graduate in Nigeria, people expect you to take up a paid job. People,
even old farmers, actually believe that farming is for illiterates and
people who are marginalised in the society. In 2003, when I just started
my studies at Covenant University, if anyone had said to me that I
would become a farmer, it would take Bishop David Oyedepo (the Visitor
to CU) to actually broker peace between us.
perspective of people towards youths in agriculture. If you are a
graduate in Nigeria, people expect you to take up a paid job. People,
even old farmers, actually believe that farming is for illiterates and
people who are marginalised in the society. In 2003, when I just started
my studies at Covenant University, if anyone had said to me that I
would become a farmer, it would take Bishop David Oyedepo (the Visitor
to CU) to actually broker peace between us.
Another challenge I faced was
infrastructure like finance, location of farmland, access to and
relevant farm tools. Government at all levels have youth farm projects
but these are just programmes on paper and not on the ground.
infrastructure like finance, location of farmland, access to and
relevant farm tools. Government at all levels have youth farm projects
but these are just programmes on paper and not on the ground.
We also faced the challenge of middle
men; I mean farmers do the job! We spend hours growing, watering,
tendering and harvesting and someone, who has done nothing, comes to buy
your harvest with a token and goes to sell and makes 100 per cent
profit off it! There is no fair trade in the agric space in Nigeria.
Farmers are actually being taken advantage of. Farmers are not well
organised in a way that helps them get the best out of their labour.
men; I mean farmers do the job! We spend hours growing, watering,
tendering and harvesting and someone, who has done nothing, comes to buy
your harvest with a token and goes to sell and makes 100 per cent
profit off it! There is no fair trade in the agric space in Nigeria.
Farmers are actually being taken advantage of. Farmers are not well
organised in a way that helps them get the best out of their labour.
You are also involved in entrepreneurial training. Tell us about it?
We have the community entrepreneurship
programme, where we train youth and women (who are not interested in
farming) to start small business and at the end of the training, we give
every participant micro credit to start their business. This is between
N20,000 and N100,000. Also, we help them scale it up when they finish
paying the first loan. Right now, we have set up over 15 community
cooperatives in over 10 communities in Akure, who we have supported with
this project. We have over 90 per cent repayment rate and women
especially do not default.
programme, where we train youth and women (who are not interested in
farming) to start small business and at the end of the training, we give
every participant micro credit to start their business. This is between
N20,000 and N100,000. Also, we help them scale it up when they finish
paying the first loan. Right now, we have set up over 15 community
cooperatives in over 10 communities in Akure, who we have supported with
this project. We have over 90 per cent repayment rate and women
especially do not default.
How many people have you trained so far and what is your current staff strength?
We have trained over 500 people under
the Springboard youth farm training. And we currently have over 500
farmers under our network. We have a total of 25 staff working with us
full and part-time.
the Springboard youth farm training. And we currently have over 500
farmers under our network. We have a total of 25 staff working with us
full and part-time.
What kind of personal and professional skills have you deployed to be successful?
The core of my work has to do with
communicating with our farmers, community entrepreneurs, community
people and leaders, customers, staff and partners. I have used the
communication and leadership skills I have learnt in the last 10 years
to have a smooth relationship at all levels. Working with people is the
most difficult thing in the world. However, I try my best to communicate
my intentions in the best way I can, so we can get positive results
that benefit all parties.
communicating with our farmers, community entrepreneurs, community
people and leaders, customers, staff and partners. I have used the
communication and leadership skills I have learnt in the last 10 years
to have a smooth relationship at all levels. Working with people is the
most difficult thing in the world. However, I try my best to communicate
my intentions in the best way I can, so we can get positive results
that benefit all parties.
How do you stay abreast of the latest trends and technological advancements in agriculture?
I attend relevant conferences and
workshops. I also read relevant articles and books. Partnership is also
important. We have strategic partners.
workshops. I also read relevant articles and books. Partnership is also
important. We have strategic partners.
What advice can you give to youths out there who want to take to farming?
Do not go into farming if you are
looking for quick money! Farmers are patient people who believe that
hard work, directed in the right and positive direction, will always pay
off. Farmers know that you do not sow and reap in the same season. If
you want to build a lifetime career in agric, then start it and you will
be surprised the level of success that you attain.
looking for quick money! Farmers are patient people who believe that
hard work, directed in the right and positive direction, will always pay
off. Farmers know that you do not sow and reap in the same season. If
you want to build a lifetime career in agric, then start it and you will
be surprised the level of success that you attain.
What are those things you gave up in order to become successful?
I gave up my BSc certificate for the
sake of my dream. I could use the certificate to get a good job. I
actually graduated with a 3.45 CGP. This could land me in some
comfortable job in the city. Daily, I also give up personal interest and
instant gratification for the overall success of my organisation. I
have travelled to several countries of the world and could decide to
also get a job outside the country with the level of connections and
contacts I have built from my travels. However, Nigeria needs dynamic
young people (who have vision and are sincere) to make things work in
the country and help take the country to great heights. I believe I am
one of those who will transform Nigeria
sake of my dream. I could use the certificate to get a good job. I
actually graduated with a 3.45 CGP. This could land me in some
comfortable job in the city. Daily, I also give up personal interest and
instant gratification for the overall success of my organisation. I
have travelled to several countries of the world and could decide to
also get a job outside the country with the level of connections and
contacts I have built from my travels. However, Nigeria needs dynamic
young people (who have vision and are sincere) to make things work in
the country and help take the country to great heights. I believe I am
one of those who will transform Nigeria