AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS, THE UNTAPED GOLD MINE

 

By Ayomide Oyede

Agricultural business is a chain of occupation. This chain includes;

Agricultural Production

Sales Agent (middle men) and value adders

Agricultural production many be as old as time itself. Agricultural production means the production of any growing grass or crop attached to the surface of the land and the production of any farm animals. It include activities like cultivating soil, planting, raising and harvesting crops, rearing, feeding, and managing animal.

Sales agent serves as middle man between the seller and buyer. They might not have a capital before the commencement of the business.

 Agriculture is an occupation, which is there from the beginning of mankind, that is, it may be around from many thousands of years and it is very much true that our civilization only started only because of agriculture. In those olden days, people considered agriculture as their life and for cultivating crops they used to migrate from one place to another in search of water to grow crops; this laid the foundation for a culture, building localities, societal relationships, etc. It has been tested and proven overtime to be profitable (value) and fulfilling as the base for all human existence and sustenance.

In modern days, agriculture has lost its charm, In Nigeria today, agriculture is still greatly and relatively undermined and even over looked as a mere profession that is not presentable and unfashionable. It is often perceived as dirty and dirty occupation by many people.

Young people are usually not interested in this field of work, some intrinsic reason include growing corporate jobs, global cities, increasing service-related economy, a surge in the software and technological developments, etc. In addition to these reason, Greed for more money also have a paramount impact on not taking agriculture as a career option by most of the people.

The occupation which supported the hunger needs of billions of people for thousands of years do not deserve a place with these so called well known and well respected professions? Agricultural business is a divine profession which should be respected and given a superior place in the minds of the young people.

Farmers who practice agricultural business  have a wealth of  knowledge about various aspects directly or indirectly impacting the success of their niche in the agric profession  including human and resource management, economic forecasting, soil fertility, seasonal crops, rainfall expectations, pesticide, crop rotation techniques, farming equipment, etc which demands it must be given much attention like other profession in the world.