“. . . Do not set your mind on lofty things (or ‘cultivate lofty ideas’), but be led along with the lowly things . . .” – Romans 12:16.
Have you been thinking about what kind of work you could do after you finish your secondary education? Once upon a time, during my work as a schoolteacher, one of my colleagues at work once asked an assembly of schoolchildren if they would like to become farmers, and they all shouted in response with an emphatic “NO!!!” She had asked the question connotatively, in a way that would elicit a negative reaction/response from the pupils, thereby promoting a feeling of disdain for farmers and for the work they do.
Many young people don’t want to be farmers. They want an easier job in an office where they are sure of their money. This is sad because we must grow more food in our country to feed the growing population. Also, in Nigeria, too much emphasis is usually placed on getting a university education and merely acquiring paper qualifications, regardless of whether the holder of such paper qualifications actually possesses the required knowledge and skills. Nigerians generally have the mentality that a university degree is more important than technical/vocational education and training. We live in a society that places a high value on white-collar jobs and ‘professionals’, a society where blue-collar work is considered low status. Parents want their children to pursue careers that will enable them to maintain or even increase their high status. This has resulted in reduced economic opportunities for those who are more work-oriented. It is therefore very necessary and important that parents be re-educated and enlightened regarding the value of occupations that are not high on the social status scale.
Currently, 70 percent or more of the people of Nigeria are farmers. Farming is hard work. And God’s Word, the Bible, encourages hard work, especially working with one’s hands. (Ephesians 4:28 and 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12). And indeed, the work of farming, or agriculture, tends to be very well suited to this Biblical counsel to work hard and to work with one’s hands. In fact, agriculture, or farming, happens to be the earliest occupation of humankind. The Holy Scriptures indicate this, as we read from Genesis 1:26-31 and also Genesis 2:5 and 2:15. When God created man, He gave him the work of cultivating the ground and tending for the animals, which translates to the definition of agriculture as we know it today: “The cultivation of crops and the rearing of animals for man’s use.”
However, considered realistically, agriculture, or the work of farming, can be considered to be a difficult occupation, and so much can go wrong with the crops and animals in spite of the farmer’s efforts. Sometimes, the young plants die because there is not enough rain, and sometimes they die because the rain is too heavy. Sometimes the plants are eaten by insects, and at other times they don’t grow well because the soil is poor. Farmers, therefore, have to watch their crops (and animals) anxiously.
Nevertheless, as we continue to endure and persevere in this age, let us not become apathetic towards the learning and practice of agriculture/farming. Pupils and students should still be taught about agricultural/farming practices and encouraged to own farms. The establishment of school farms/gardens should be encouraged in both private and public primary and secondary schools, and schools should be provided with necessary logistics for the successful implementation of the whole agricultural science curriculum, while the school farms serve as fields or laboratories for the training of the pupils and students, with the basic focus being on skills development and self-reliance. The idea behind this should be to make agriculture an integral part of the school culture, so the pupils and students are well-positioned to appreciate agriculture/farming, even if they do not intend to specialise in it.
So, instead of adopting the negative, apathetic attitude and perception of many towards the learning and practice of agriculture/farming, why not start on the road to becoming a happy and successful farmer by planting something today?! For example, as we all know, the cost of yams has skyrocketed! Did you know that it is currently the season for growing early yams in Nigeria? Could you start your farming experience this November/December by trying your hand at growing some yams?
So, how do you plant yams? First, dry the yam head or set it under the sun before you plant it. Next, open a hole in a heap of soil. Place the cut head or set of yams inside the hole, with the cut surface turned upward and placed slantwise at an angle of 45° (45 degrees) before covering it with soil. The yams would usually sprout between 3 and 6 weeks after planting. Remember to water it regularly, every morning and evening. In time, you should also stake the growing plant/crop with strong sticks or bamboo. This ensures adequate exposure of the leaf surface to sunlight and increases its yield. The yams will be mature and ready for harvesting, usually within 8 to 12 months after planting. So, why not start planting today?!
Wishing you all the best in your endeavours as you enjoy being a farmer!
Daniel IGHAKPE (A peasant farmer). danny.ighakpe@gmail.com. +234 916 481 0832. FESTAC Town, Lagos State, Nigeria.
