Keelo Farms shared that their first year was a mix of challenges and victories that tested resilience and the effective management of the team, which we consider their most important resource. We highlighted the importance of managing resources well, especially considering the delayed rainy season that arrived in June. By carefully planning and effectively managing our resources, Keelo Farms demonstrates the ability to overcome challenges successfully.
Diary of a Farm Owner: Keelo and Her Most Important Resource
As Keelo Farms marks its first year on August 23, 2024, I've been reflecting on the journey we've had. This past year has been a blend of challenges and triumphs, filled with moments that tested our resilience and the systems we put in place to overcome adversity. In this retrospective, it’s clear that our greatest and most invaluable resource has been our team.
Coming from a project management background, I initially found it difficult to refer to people as "resources." However, over time, I came to understand the term in a new light, recognizing that effective placement of individuals according to their strengths can unlock their full potential. In farming, this is especially crucial. Our first year demanded significant investment, often outpacing the revenue we generated from our products. Coupled with the unexpected delay of the rainy season—arriving only in June—our need to manage resources prudently became even more pronounced.
In early March, I traveled with Mr. Segun Omai, one of Keelo's directors, to our farm in Ikoyi, Osun State, to meet with Mr. Isiaka Olamilekan, the manager of our vegetation farm. Our mission was straightforward: hire workers to support the cultivation of new crops like cassava, yams, potatoes, and corn. We needed at least four workers to prepare the ridges for planting. We decided to recruit local labor from nearby towns and villages. However, two weeks later, Mr. Isiaka informed us that he couldn't find any available workers.
Faced with the challenge of securing skilled farmers, I reached out to contacts in different regions. A friend in Calabar quoted a steep price—₦500,000 for one worker over an eight-month period, which far exceeded my budget of ₦250,000. Further negotiations with a contact in Kaduna yielded a slightly lower rate of ₦450,000, but still, it was above our means. By April, I had yet to find a solution, though I remained inexplicably calm—perhaps it was divine providence. Then, in early May, my contact in Kaduna introduced me to a friend who could provide four workers from Jos for ₦400,000, including feeding. After some negotiation, we agreed on ₦350,000 for the eight-month period, and the workers were on the farm by the second week of May.
Despite some initial challenges with a few team members, we managed to build a reliable workforce. This experience underscored the importance of educating our farmers. As Keelo Farms transitions from traditional to more innovative farming methods, we cannot rely solely on conventional practices. During the planning of Keelo Farms’ five-year strategy, I realized that establishing an educational institution for farmers is crucial. By blending traditional knowledge with modern science and technology, we can achieve our goals. Existing institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan serve as benchmarks, but there's a pressing need for more localized training programs to help farmers adapt to new techniques. The future of Nigeria's agriculture sector hinges on the education and modernization of its farmers.
Currently, we have dedicated managers overseeing our poultry, piggery, fish, and vegetation farming sectors, as well as our palm tree products. Each sector is driven by a committed workforce that ensures our operations run smoothly.
As we look to the future, we welcome anyone interested in contributing to the growth of Keelo Farms. Together, we can cultivate a brighter tomorrow for agriculture in Nigeria.
