Who’s This Farmer?

When you think of a farmer, who comes to mind? Is it only the man working on vast hectares of land with tractors? Or could it also be you, the person tending a small garden behind your house, growing vegetables in sacks, or even nurturing an online business like a seed waiting for harvest? The truth is, if you cultivate, nurture, and patiently wait for growth, then you are a farmer!

Historically, farming is one of the oldest professions of mankind. In the Bible’s creation story, Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to “till and keep it” (Genesis 2:15), making him the first farmer. Similarly, archaeological evidence from the Fertile Crescent shows that humans began domesticating crops like wheat and barley around 10,000 years ago, marking the birth of agriculture. From that moment, farming became the foundation of civilizations.

In Nigeria, the story is no different. Our ancestors in Nok culture (around 1000 BC - 300 AD) combined farming with iron smelting, growing millet and yams that sustained their communities. Even today, despite oil wealth, agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, employing over 70% of rural households.

But beyond history, the spirit of a farmer lies in three core virtues:

1.  Farming is Lucrative - A wise farmer understands that “he who plants a seed must reap a harvest.” Whether you sow maize, beans, or even ideas in digital ventures, your reward is tied to the seed you plant and how diligently you nurture it.

2.  Farmers are Patient Risk-Takers - Investing in farming is burying money in the soil, trusting that nature and God will bring increase. It mirrors the entrepreneur’s risk when investing in uncertain markets.

3.  Farmers are Visionary - Farmers see beyond today. At the first drop of rain, they prepare the ground, believing tomorrow’s harvest will justify today’s sweat.

So, who is this farmer? It’s you, the dreamer, the doer, the risk-taker, the one who believes that seeds, whether in the soil or in business, will grow with time, patience, and care.