AJI BABA Farms located at Ayetoro-Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State has brought new impetus to agro-business among the citizens of the community and the state at large.
In what looks like a revolution in the agric business, Aji Baba Farm has through the integration of all almost sectors of the agro-business added value to farmers that cultivate palm trees, cassava, and corn in the area
The farm is taking advantage of the palm trees value chain through the establishment of processing plants which refines palm oil, produce palm kernel oil and other valuables which palm trees can be used for. Palm trees no doubt have been regarded as one of the most valuable economic trees in the world because of the various use to which they can be converted to. It is an integrated farm that is into production, processing, and marketing.
In summary, the farm has a 75% value chain of palm trees ranging from palm kernel, palm kernel oil, palm kernel cake, and palm kernel shell with a future quest to produce briquettes which the machine are already on the ground.
Moved by the beautiful achievement of Aji Farms within a short period of coming into existence, the Nigeria Shippers Council, an organization at the forefront of building synergy and clusters among farmers in partnership with other agencies recently went to assess the fast-growing farm to see things for themselves.
One of the primary objectives of the visitation was to see how the Council can ensure that what is produced from the farm meets global standards for exports.
The highly impressed Leader of the cream of professionals from different institutions and associations, the North Central Coordinator of Nigeria Shippers Council, Bestus Philemon, could not but describe Aji Baba Farms as an opener towards the economic growth and global stage market of Nigeria’s produce.
According to him: “With the wealth of experience of the founder of Aji Baba Farms and what he has been able to establish singlehandedly over the years, Mr. Bestus stressed that with more hands trained and synergy created, Nigeria will shift from being a consuming nation to a producing nation.”
He further stressed that the Nigerian economy will grow better if we start to export what we produce, just as he admonished stakeholders to help supports farmers in achieving the global best practices as related to exportation laws and guidelines.
While commending the farm founder for a worthwhile experience displayed at his farm and the community services he renders to the host community, Bestus promised that the visit won’t be the last of it as stakeholders will also meet to deliberate on what they saw and how they can utilize the opportunity prospects.
He further noted that government at all levels will need to be engaged and be advised on the need to farmers with resources and provide them with equipment that will help them effectively carry out farming on a larger scale to meet the exportation of our farm produces.
Joseph Ajisafe, the proprietor of the farms told the visitors that his vision is to have a farm that would be the best agricultural firm in Africa with a mission to reduce hunger and poverty within Africa and the world through best integrated agricultural practices and job creation.
He appreciated the Nigeria Shippers Council for the stakeholders’ interaction and assessment of his farm, stressing that the meeting sparked a positive fire in every one of them which will give birth to the state becoming a fulcrum of agricultural development.
The Aji Baba Farms boss said his farm has the manpower, technical know-how, and technology knowledge to lunch into the global market which will start from expansion to other parts of the state and African continent.
Animal Husbandry
In animal husbandry, the farm he said, is presently running fishery, poultry, sheep rearing, turkey, monkeys, and soon to start piggery farm.
The farm also has facilities for processing garri, waste from cassava pills for piggery farms and others.
He disclosed that his farm is hoping to start the exportation of briquette derived from palm kernel shell, palm kernel oil, and palm kernel cake which is used in the international body for animal formulation.
He also revealed that his farm is working towards investing in bio-gas generated from cassava waste and other sources of animal waste. He stated that the country is not fully maximizing its natural potential which he listed as; light, wind, mineral resources, waste, and many more.
Challenges
Challenges, he said are learning curves that have strengthened the growth of the farm. According to him, s “When we started in the year 2000, we had people deliberately burning our farm, but with zeal and determination, we kept on planting and did not give up”. He said.
He stated that the grit, resilience, and passion to succeed are what have kept his farm alive and growing, adding that with prayers and determination, there is nothing any man cannot achieve.
While adding that with the right finance, the farm can be placed on the globe, he disclosed that the farm has grown without owning or accessing loan facilities from the farm. Adding that with support from the government, international bodies, and clusters created, Kogi State and Nigeria will be most sort after in the global market.
He encouraged the younger generation not to prioritize money first but be driven by self-sacrifice which will pave the way for help. This help he stressed cannot come if they are not innovative, creative, hardworking, and skilled.
Also speaking to newsmen, the brain behind the assessment, Mr. Edwin Ignatius, the Kogi State Coordinator Nigerian Shippers Council commended the founder of the farm for availing them the opportunity to have access to his farm and key to his vast dream for agriculture revolution in the country.
He promised that all that has been discussed and recommendations given will be put together to form a working document for engagement with the government and relevant stakeholders.
Stakeholders that participated in the assessment visit are Members of the Kogi Shippers Association, Technology Incubation Center, Lokoja, Kogi Chambers of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, NASSI, Itors Global Ventures Ltd, astobell Nigeria Ltd, NEPC, Palm Oil Society, Kabba, Palm Oil and Garri Processing and others
