“Govt Should Encourage Farming to Keep Youths Out of Job Market”  …Sadiq Badejo, CEO, Olaonipekun Farms

"Govt Should Encourage Farming to Keep Youths Out of Job Market"  ...Sadiq Badejo, CEO, Olaonipekun Farms

0
746

Sadiq Eniola Badejo runs a multi-million naira piggery farm in the Ijebu axis. A young dude who has laid a very solid foundation for his future through agriculture spoke on his passion for the job as well as his expansion drive. Excerpt… 

 

 

 

Can we get to meet you once again?

I am Badejo Sodiq Eniola, the Chief Executive Officer of Olaonipekun Farms. I am a 400 level Bio-Chemistry undergraduate of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

 

 

 

From Bio-Chemistry to farming, how did you do it?
Laughs…Yes, interesting question. I believe we can’t all go into white-collar jobs. That was one of the reasons I had to carve a niche for myself by going into the agricultural sector. There are lots of things people don’t understand about farming, and I just felt I had to get involved to know it better as well. Secondly, I had a great passion for farming right from my childhood and I had made up my mind from that time, that when I grow up, I would definitely play my part as well.

 

 

 

Where are the farms located?
I have two branches of the farm for now. I have one in the university community of Ago-Iwoye, the second one is located in Idomila area of Ijebu-Ode. I am also planning to expand my coast beyond Ogun State. Specifically, I am planning towards a location in Lagos State and another one in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

 

 

 

How many pen houses do you have in each of the branches?

I actually started my farming career in Ago-Iwoye where I now have 70 pen houses, while the one in Idomila contains 107 pen houses. My expansion drive will take off soon, God’s willing.

 

 

 

What are the challenges facing piggery especially the one you run?

There are several challenges facing farming business across the length and breadth of the country and I am sure you should be aware of this as well. But like I do tell people, we keep on learning everyday. More importantly, every farmer faces what we call swine disease. In a way to control this and apart from vaccination, you don’t allow many people who don’t have business with the farm to come in freely without maximum protection. As a farmer, you have to be very hygienic.

 

 

Lastly, what is your advice to the government as a farmer?

The government should understand that we can’t all go into white-collar jobs. Rather, they should continue to give more incentives to farmers in other to encourage our youths who complain of unemployment daily to go into the agric sector.