Fatima Yusuf Kaigama, a young female farmer from Jigawa State, is breaking barriers in the agricultural sector by producing over 80 bags of rice each season and providing employment to around 30 people.
With a BSc in Agricultural and Economic Extension, Fatima inherited her farming legacy from her grandfather and father. This background made it easier for her to pursue a career in agriculture.
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In a recent interview with BBC Hausa, which was monitored by Agro Climate News, Fatima shared that she grows rice, wheat, and various vegetables, including lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on her farm.
“My grandfather and father were both professional farmers. Growing up, I worked alongside them on the farm. My degree has equipped me with modern approaches to farming, including pest and disease control, and the use of chemicals,” she explained.
Moving from one bag to over 80 sacks
Despite her current success, Fatima faced numerous challenges, primarily caused by floods and other related disasters. In her first harvest, she managed to produce only one sack of rice. Unfortunately, her second attempt was also thwarted when flooding washed away the entire crop.
“In my first harvest, I got only one sack of rice. When I tried again, I was hopeful of recovering from my losses, but a devastating flood washed away everything,” she recounted.
“Every business has its challenges. You may gain today and lose tomorrow. I persevered despite the difficulties, and now I’ve expanded my land each year. Currently, I harvest over 80 bags,” she stated.
People thought I was going to farm to take pictures
Fatima also addressed misconceptions regarding her farming efforts, as some people assumed she farmed merely for enjoyment or to take photos.
“Many people on social media have said I go to the farm just for the passion, not realizing that it is my lifelong ambition,” she noted.
“Some think I only visit the farm for pictures, but those who know me and my work have been a great source of encouragement,” she added.
Fatima added that apart from what she is achieving from the farm, she also employs between 20 and 30 workers, mostly women.
“I prefer to hire underprivileged women, especially widows, to help support their livelihoods. One widow I work with used her earnings to start a business to care for her children,” she shared.
My future goal is to harvest hundreds of sacks
The young farmer added that her achievements have opened doors for collaborations with NGOs and training opportunities for local farmers through workshops. She aims to diversify her crops to include sorghum, millet, and cowpeas.
“I want to grow my harvest so that I can produce over 200 bags. With the right support, this goal is achievable,” she emphasized, highlighting her need for modern farming equipment such as tractors, combine harvesters, and transplanters.
Fatima has so far attended several seminars and workshops and that she is currently doing a step-down training for local farmers in her community.
