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In the midst of lush fields and industrious farmers in the Iwofin community, Awoniyi Abayomi, commonly known as Apase, serves as a symbol of resilience in the face of challenges. For years, Apase has poured his heart and soul into cultivating potatoes on his 5.5-acre farm, nurturing the land with unwavering dedication. However, despite his unwavering commitment, the path to prosperity has been fraught with challenges.
In the past, the cost of planting potatoes was a manageable burden. But today, the financial landscape has shifted dramatically, with expenses soaring to unprecedented heights. Where once Apase could invest less than 500,000 Naira, today’s costs have skyrocketed, casting a shadow over his farming operations.
The trials extend beyond the financial realm. Apase and his fellow farmers grapple with the disheartening reality of finding buyers for their produce. Often, traders propose transporting the potatoes to Lagos before making payment, only to disappear into thin air, leaving the farmers empty-handed.
Driven by a collective desire to break free from this cycle of exploitation, Apase and his fellow farmers formed a united front, establishing a farmer’s society. Their aim: to take control of their destiny, selling their potatoes independently and reclaiming their rightful share of the profits.
Yet, even their combined efforts have not been immune to the whims of nature. Climate change has cast its long shadow over Iwofin, disrupting the delicate balance of the seasons. The delayed harvest, resulting from insufficient rainfall, has wreaked havoc on the growth of potatoes, extending the cultivation period by three agonizing months.
Apase’s five months of unwavering care for his potato crop have been met with frustration. The once-promising plants remain stubbornly immature, delaying the much-anticipated harvest and further straining the farmers’ financial resources.
As if drought and delayed harvests were not enough, the relentless onslaught of insects has added another layer of hardship to Apase’s farming endeavors. Despite employing chemicals to fend off these unwanted guests, the insects continue their destructive march, leaving behind a trail of damaged crops and ravaged seeds.
The weight of these setbacks bears heavily on Apase’s shoulders, prompting him to question his future in the farming industry. The allure of alternative business ventures beckons, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the prevailing despair.
Farming has been Apase’s livelihood since completing secondary school. The lack of opportunities for further education has confined him to the fields, where he has poured his heart and soul into cultivating the land. In addition to potatoes, Apase has also ventured into growing cassava, peppers, and tomatoes. Yet, each venture has been met with similar challenges, with buyers proving scarce and prices plummeting.
Amidst these trials and tribulations, Apase turns to the government, seeking a lifeline to alleviate the burdens that weigh him down. A simple plea echoes through his words: assistance to facilitate the easy selling of their crops. This simple request carries the weight of survival, a beacon of hope amidst the gathering shadows of uncertainty.
Apase’s story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Iwofin farmers, a community bound together by their shared struggle and their unwavering determination to overcome adversity. Their resilience serves as an inspiration, a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, the human spirit can endure and prevail.
Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) is a non-governmental organisation and non-partisan human rights and development league.