My VSO project is called Improving Market Access for the Poor, a mouthful, but it has a clear goal - and (touch wood) I think I’ve almost achieved it.
Nigeria is home to the biggest grain mill in Africa, Golden Penny. It is so large that it currently operates at only 40% capacity meaning it can cope with at least another 200,000 tonnes of grain. Putting on my best negotiating hat, I’ve arranged for my farmers to supply them with soybean after the next harvest.
Soya farm in Mariga
I’m not going to lie, 200,000 tonnes of soybean is currently way more than my farmers, or even Niger state can muster. However, this is where VSO and I can help, through sharing best agricultural practices and sourcing machinery so farmers can increase their yield.
So far this has created long term work and income for over 2000 rural farmers! The guaranteed income from Golden Penny means they can farm land they would not usually have been able to cultivate. This new income will help farmers send their kids to school, afford necessary healthcare and have a better quality of life. This is one of my biggest wins as it even reaches the smaller scale farmers who only own half a hectare and are incredibly poor.
The demonstration plots
In order to meet the challenge ahead, we’ve created ten demonstration plots that have the dual purpose of providing Golden Penny with soybean samples, and training farmers in best practice.
I have partnered with an NGO named Propcom Maikarfi, who have offered to provide seed and quality fertiliser free of charge to our demonstration plots. A lot of cheaper fertiliser has been adulterated with sand and soil. This means that though farmers save on initial expenditure, they dramatically lose out on profit. We’re hoping by showing the benefits of certified seed, and quality fertiliser, we can encourage other farmers to follow suit.
Meanwhile my team and I are sharing agricultural knowledge by showcasing a variety of farming techniques in each plot. We are displaying best practice with manual, oxen or tractor farming. I have actually been really impressed by the oxen. The care that the farmers gave them was wonderful and they obviously decided to show their appreciation by making the most accurately spaced ridges I have ever seen.
We have divided each of our demonstration plots into two, this way one half is the control where we show current standard practice, and the second is best practice, so the farmers and Golden Penny will be able to see the difference. Our overall aim is to bring farmers’ yields up from 1.3 tonnes a hectare to 3 tonnes. This is a massive increase in profit that would completely counteract the additional cost from using certified seed and quality fertiliser, so we will be racing towards our target of 200,000 tonnes.
My wife at the Sky Lounge in Lagos
The cherry on top
To make this month completely perfect my wife has flown out to join me for a week. It’s been strange being this far apart when we’ve been together for so long and I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed her. Through the advice of my Nigerian colleagues, who told me this was a necessity before I leave, we visited Lagos. If you would believe the internet, Lagos with its population of over 20 million is neither a friendly nor desirable place to visit. The internet could not have been more wrong.
My wife and I booked a hotel, which was completely lovely. On more than one occasion we walked the best part of ten miles through the streets, during which we felt very safe and met a number of friendly people. Our favourite find was the Sky Lounge, a rooftop bar and restaurant. To time it right you need to get there for six pm. As the sun sets you can watch the city transform from daylight to electric light – both romantic and captivating.
Thank you,
So as you can no doubt see, these have been a packed couple of months for me, and I have taken a big step closer to improving the market access for the poor in Nigeria. This is all down to people like you supporting VSO and helping them send volunteers overseas, I can’t thank you enough.
Cheers
Ian
