Her farming skills were perfected in the village, where as a little child she had learnt nearly everything. But she had no plans to become a full time farmer. Rather, she relocated to Lagos in search of the golden fleece, like many people who desired to exchange the poor living standard of the rural setting for the modernity in the city. But life has a different plan for her. When she arrived in Lagos, she became a food vendor. She apparently did not get satisfaction from that venture and therefore decided to look elsewhere. Now, she discovered that she could not really divorce herself from farming, so she later went back to it. However, Mrs. Modupe Omolani, who hails from Ode Irele in Ondo State, did not confine herself to farming alone. She combines it with other businesses. In this interview with Idowu Michael, she shared her experience on how farming has helped to gain economic stability.
When did you start farming?
I started farming as a little kid in our village,Ode Irele, in Ondo State.
When I got married, I also continued because I liked it.
When did you come to Lagos?
I came to Lagos in the year 2015.
So, you started farming in Lagos in 2015?
No sir, when I arrived Lagos, I started as a food vendor. I sold Pounded yam, Rice, Fufu and others.
It was during the course of my selling food that I met Daddy Abisagbo.
He was a farmer, and I was buying vegetables from him for my day to day soup preparation.
So, one day, I went to his farm as usual to buy vegetables,then, something told me I can ask him for a piece of land for farming, which I did that day.
Were you giving the land that day?
Yes Sir, Mr Abisagbo gave me a small piece of land.
Did you utilise the piece of land he gave to you?
No, because the land was so small, I couldn’t imagine planting anything on it.
How did you solve the problem with him?
Later, I went back to him, he was surprised that the first one he gave me was not utilized. I explained to him what happened there and he took me to another side of the farm,where he gave me a generous piece of land.
With the land, did you abandon your food vending?
No,but then, I scaled it down. My husband and I gave farming our attention. And since then, I have been in it.
When did you finally leave the food vendor business?
Due to the expansion of the farm and continued stress, I had to leave food vending, and more so, as at the time I left, on record, people were owing me two hundred and twenty thousand Naira. I still have the record.
So, you are now a full time farmer?
Yes, to a certain extent, I farm and I sell raw food stuff, from my Farm and others that I buy from other farmers. I do go to my village also to bring various farm produce for sale.
Can you quantify what you have gained from the farm?
Sir, It is not easy to quantify, but I can tell you that myself and family feed from the farm and we sell what remains.
Last year, 2025, there was a day I sold cassava worth Ninety-six thousand Naira.
Looking back, I thank God for his mercy.
How do you get your customers?
They know there are farming activities going on around here, they come in for whatever they need, and we always try to satisfy them .
The way you are now,do you think you need any help from the government?
Yes, I need help, other farmers need help too. The government should come to our aid with seedlings, chemicals and fertilizers. All this will go a long way in helping farmers.
What we need is subsidy not loans, they should see us as partners.
What we need (from the government) is subsidy not loans, they should see us as partners.
What about education?
Yes sir, education is very good. There is a lot of difference between educated farmers and non educated ones.
Like myself, I dropped out in primary five due to lack of money. I know that if I had education, even as a farmer, my level would have changed.
if I had education, even as a farmer, my level would have changed.
See what is going on on social media, there is a limit to what an illiterate farmer can do there.
Are you considering leaving farming soon?
No Sir, may God keep me healthy.
