By Boluwatife Adedokun
In a time when many Nigerian youths are abandoning agriculture for seemingly greener pastures, Johnson Daniel, a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is choosing to hold on tightly to the land—and the water.
His journey into agriculture began as far back as 2011, in the most unexpected way.
“My brother brought a live catfish home from school. It was my first time seeing a catfish, and I was so amazed that I immediately developed an interest in it,” he told The Harbinger in an exclusive interview.
That moment sparked what would become a lifelong passion for farming. From humble beginnings working as a farm attendant, Johnson gradually rose to the position of farm manager, gaining hands-on experience in both aquaculture and crop production. But his journey, like that of many young Nigerian farmers, has been filled with crushing obstacles.
“In 2020, we were hit with a devastating problem. Every time we hatched catfish eggs, the fries would all die within two weeks. We tried everything but couldn’t figure it out,” he recounted.
He wasn’t alone. Farmers around him faced the same losses. Some gave up entirely. Others, like Johnson, persevered—searching for answers they couldn’t afford to find.
“One day, a farmer tried hatching the same eggs in another location and got an 80% success rate. That’s when we realized the water in our area was the problem. But without proper testing equipment—which are too expensive for small farmers—we couldn’t confirm or solve it.”
At the height of the crisis, Johnson lost 150,000 catfish fries in a single day.
But he didn’t quit.
Instead, he shifted to growing catfish to table size, a method with lower risk but higher capital requirements. Then, a new challenge emerged: the imbalance in the agricultural value chain.
“Market women were making five times what we made. Yet we took the risks, did the work, and bore the losses.”
Later, Johnson paused farming to focus on his education but his passion never waned. He approached the university for a piece of land and began crop cultivation—growing potatoes and maize. Yet again, he was met with hardship.
“Rodents destroyed 60% of my crops. It was heartbreaking. I consulted lecturers and experts. They all advised me to budget for losses, but it still hurts.”
He points out a major problem in Nigeria’s farming system: limited access to practical tools and knowledge.
“We need more practical agricultural training. We need tools that are affordable. We’re willing to work, but the challenges can be overwhelming.”
Despite it all, Johnson remains hopeful. His story is not just one of personal struggle—it reflects the daily reality of thousands of young farmers in Nigeria.
“We’re not asking for handouts. Just give us the tools to succeed. Agriculture is our future—if we’re truly supported.”
