Renowned Nigerian agritech expert and advocate, Farmer Samson Ogbole, has issued a candid reality opinion to aspiring farmers and entrepreneurs who assume that venturing into agriculture automatically guarantees wealth. In a thought-provoking post shared on his LinkedIn page, Ogbole dismantled the myth that farming alone is a direct ticket to financial success.
His message, stark and repetitive for emphasis, read:
“There is no money in farming
There is no money in farming
There is no money in farming
There is no money on the farm
There is no money on the farm
There is no money on the farm
The money you are looking for in agriculture is outside the farm.”
Ogbole, known for his pioneering work in soilless farming and sustainable agriculture, went further to outline where the real wealth within the agricultural value chain lies:
- Selling: “There is money in selling. Sell! Sell!! Sell!!!” he emphasized, urging farmers not to limit themselves to just production but to actively participate in the marketplace.
- Distribution: According to Ogbole, those who control distribution channels often make more money than the producers themselves.
- Branding: He highlighted that creating a recognizable and valuable brand enables entrepreneurs to price products based on brand worth, not just production costs.
- Networking: Ogbole reiterated that building the right network significantly enhances one’s net worth, stating, “your networth will skyrocket from the farm.”
- Finance: Finally, he noted that “there is money in money,” hinting at the power of investment, funding, and strategic financial management in scaling agricultural ventures.
Concluding his post, he charged his audience to “build for beyond survival,” promoting a mindset of growth, scalability, and innovation in the agricultural space.
Ogbole’s insights come at a time when many young Nigerians are being encouraged to explore agriculture amidst economic diversification efforts. His statement serves as a guide for those entering the sector to understand that success requires engaging with the broader ecosystem, from value addition and logistics to branding and finance.
His honest perspective has since sparked meaningful conversations on social, with many professionals acknowledging the importance of looking beyond the farm for wealth creation in agriculture.
