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Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by maddock(m): 11:56am On Aug 25, 2016 |
This commentary is culled from someone post on facebook and I think its makes a whole lot of sense. Anytime I hear Nigerian presidents, ministers, governors, economists, analysts and commentators declare that agriculture is the alternative to oil, and that the solution to Nigeria’s economic woes is to return to the farm, I am tempted to jump up and ask at full volume: “Who agriculture alone don epp?” Some states have hilariously declared work- free days for civil servants to go to the farm. It would be nice to see those farms and how well the emergency farmers are doing. We’ve been told again and again that agriculture, as Nigeria’s biggest employer of labour, is the magic solution to unemployment, that we will export agricultural produce and earn plenty forex. Well done. I’ve been hearing this fairy-tale all my life. When I was a primary school kid, Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, then head of state, asked Nigerians to tighten their belts because the oil boom would not last forever. He added drama by tightening his military belt on TV. He launched Operation Feed the Nation. President Shehu Shagari did Green Revolution. The structural adjustment programme (SAP) of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was basically about diversifying into agriculture. My dad then a manager in A.T. & P alongside other management staff embraced farming in the mid and late 80s. In different shapes, forms, sizes and packaging, we have been talking about agriculture, agriculture and agriculture forever. Since we love glamorising our exploits in the export of cocoa, coffee, palm oil and groundnuts before the oil boom doom, I will pick on just cocoa to dispel this ill-conceived notion and never-ending campaign that agriculture is the magic wand. We used to be the biggest producers of cocoa in the world. Chief Obafemi Awolowo utilised cocoa revenue to develop the south-west when he was premier of the region in the 1950s. But we dropped the ball along the line and Cote d’Ivoire overtook us. And now we are lamenting that we are nowhere to be found. The solution, therefore, is for the south- west to revive the cocoa farms. Oh, the good old days! Okay, let us talk about Cote d’Ivoire’s fabled cocoa wealth. Cote d’Ivoire produces 33% of world cocoa and exports to manufacturers such as Hershey’s, Mars Inc. (both in the US) and Nestlé (Switzerland). You know what Cote d’Ivoire earns yearly from exporting raw cocoa? A whopping $2.5bn. I repeat: a whopping $2.5bn! So Mars buys Ivorien cocoa and makes several products from it: Bounty, M&M, Mars and Milky Way, to name a few. You know Mars’ net income from chocolate products alone in 2015? According to the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), Mars made a pathetic $18bn, compared to Cote d’Ivoire’s whopping $2.5bn. Agriculture, indeed. If you are wondering how just one company, which manufactures chocolate, can earn seven times more than a whole country, which farms and exports the cocoa input, then you are asking the same question with me: Who agriculture alone don epp? On ICCO’s list of the world’s top 10 companies in net revenue from chocolate, you have three from America, two from Japan, two from Switzerland, and one each from Luxemburg/Italy, Argentina and Turkey. None from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia — the world’s three biggest producers of raw cocoa. There must be something that Hershey’s, Mars and Nestlé know that we don’t know as we keep planting cocoa. To be fair, Cote d’Ivoire is waking up. In 2015, French chocolatier Cémoi opened a plant in Abidjan, the economic capital, to produce chocolate. President Alassane Ouattara, on touring the plant, said: “We want to be able to make chocolate for Ivoriens, for Africans and especially West Africans.” Ouattara (pronounced Wa-ta-ra) understands what we still don’t understand here: that agriculture without industry is dead, being alone. How could I buy cocoa worth $1m from you and make chocolate worth $10 million from it — and you think you are smart? If you are smart, you will start making the chocolate yourself and stop romanticising about the “good old days”. There was a video that went viral sometime ago. CNN’s Richard Quest visited a cocoa farm in Cote d’Ivoire. Come and see poverty written all over the faces of the farmers, who have been told for decades that agriculture is the magic solution to their problems. Quest gave the farmers bars of chocolate. They were eating the sweet stuff for the first time in their lives! Compare their lives to those of the executives of Mars Inc., who buy the cocoa beans from Cote d’Ivoire. They are flying private jets and holidaying in the moon, while the Ivorien farmers are fighting off flies and bees in the bushes of Koffikro. For your information, Mars Inc. has no cocoa farms! Don’t get me wrong please. If I have created the impression that agriculture is useless, I do apologise. That is not my intention. After all, agriculture is our culture. Millions of Nigerians are farming rice, beans, cassava and corn. That is huge employment. Also, we certainly can produce many food items that we are importing and burning precious forex on. But is that why governors are declaring work-free days for civil servants to go and plant melon and maize to solve Nigeria’s economic problem and stop the dependency on oil? If only these governors knew that Switzerland does not grow one tree of cocoa, yet makes the world’s most elegant chocolates! Let us break this whole agric logic into pieces. If we really want to diversify from oil and create proper value, agriculture must give birth to industry. If agriculture currently employs, say, 5 million Nigerians, agro-allied industry can employ 15 million in the value chain. So why do we spend so much time discussing farming and not industry? For example, how many graduates can a tomato farm employ compared to a factory making tomato purée? The factory will employ or engage the services of engineers, technicians, chemists, marketers, accountants, communicators, lawyers, administrators, drivers, and so on. It may even have a sick bay and employ doctors and nurses. I’m not done. A basket of tomatoes sells for N800 in Kaduna. A 400g tin of purée sells for N300. Look at how many bottles of purée you can get from a basket, and how much value you will be getting. Who, then, is making the real money? The factory will pay company tax, its employees will pay PAYE and the consumers will pay VAT. That is how government will boost its revenue. The purée bottle makers offer a different business altogether that employs workers and pays all kinds of taxes too. And if we are good enough, we can begin to export purée to other countries, and earn forex. This is just purée. Think of a thousand agro-allied factories. Think of our huge population. Sure, agriculture is very important in a primitive economy like ours. But we always miss the bigger picture. One, we need full optimisation of the sector to enhance productivity. A country like the US knows this much better: the percentage of the population engaged in farming is insignificant, but it is so optimised that the output is out of this world. For instance, the US produces enough rice for local consumption, for export, for aid and to dump in the sea to “stabilise” market prices. Two, processing is where you find the massive job opportunities. The agro-industry will yield far more output, more jobs and more economic value than Benue Friday Farming. These things look so simple and doable, but commonsense is not common. Our agricultural output can be far better in quantity and quality than currently obtains. We can do with better technology, storage, conditioning, packaging and transportation. Most importantly, our brains should focus on how industry can bring out the real value of agriculture and spark off a chain of economic activities that will create millions of good jobs and generate billions of dollars in revenue to investors, employees and government. But we seem excited only about preaching and promoting the export of raw produce, and we feel so smart we think this is the way out of our oil dependency! But how can we add value when, despite the billions of dollars we have made from oil since 1999, we don’t have the basic infrastructure to inspire an agro-based industrial explosion? Where are the roads? Where are the rails? Where is the electricity? Where is the security? Where is the finance? Yet I can point to uncountable private jets, mansions and customised cars that politicians and their friends have acquired since 1999 with proceeds from the oil boom , while they keep preaching stone-age agriculture to Nigerians. So if your governor joins this craze of declaring work-free days for primitive farming, just ask him politely:Your Excellency, who agriculture alone don epp? 9 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by abdeiz(m): 12:37pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
This is one heck of a piece. What he said provokes deep thought about what we actually know which way is the best for us in a collective sense. We mostly fail to look at the big picture, at the long term and how to plan appropriately for it. Instead all we focus on is the immediate future and instant gratification. Nigerians want to see result as son as possible but where has that taken for the last three decades? If only we can become selfless and think as one for the good of this nation. The sky can be out limit. 1 Like |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by agwom(m): 12:41pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
Crop production or which one? |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by kgr8mike(m): 12:52pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
When they get power they forget what is good for Nigeria & they think themselves fortunate. Restructure Nigeria and let every state or region control their resources human and natural and the government will say no. OK. Let them continue to bit more than they can chew. It is brewing... |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by amtalkin(f): 1:08pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
Lazy me How does reading this long epistle epp? After commenting i will read 2 Likes |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Feraz(m): 1:57pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
This is what most Nigerians do not understand. Selling raw materials will not fetch you the required money but what is gotten from the finished product. Take the case of crude oil where PMS, diesel, AVK, bitumen etc are gotten. Imagine selling these and think of how much is being made. What of steel? Is it only the process of converting iron ore to steel? What of products gotten like cars, ships, planes etc. We need to think long term in this country. 1 Like |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by ucheokpara100(m): 2:56pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
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Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by KINGwax007(m): 3:47pm On Aug 25, 2016 |
Stop talking rubbish and do more research. New Zealand makes more money on agriculture than anything.. Even till today.. Moat agricultural settlement generates power from reusable energies or generating plants.. The beauty of agriculture is the release of pressure on the urban region... 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by mikolo80: 6:34am On Aug 26, 2016 |
maddock:where will chocolate be without the cocoa or puree without tomatoes. Control the raw material (quick win) and you can always add value to it. Agric counts for 1% of USA GDP and employment But supports 16% ancillary industries Take away that 1%,the 16 come crumbling down Besides look at our import bill Clearly we cant feed ourselves 1 trillion worth of rice wheat sugar and fish Staples fa, I won't Evey talk tin tomatoes What with rising food costs Yes manufacturing should be the focus but still without raw materials e go hard you o 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by mikolo80: 6:42am On Aug 26, 2016 |
kgr8mike: |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by mikolo80: 6:43am On Aug 26, 2016 |
KINGwax007:raw food or processed? 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Boleyndynasty2(f): 6:59am On Aug 26, 2016 |
Beautiful.....highly Educative |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by 9jii(m): 7:01am On Aug 26, 2016 |
You don't no Farming that's why this rubbish interested you. The existence of every single being depend on the hard work of those peasants and super farmers you mock. Any sane person will not ask who Farming help Because the answer is.when last did you Eat? |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Justiyke4u: 8:22am On Aug 26, 2016 |
If you didn't read the article your comment will be off point 2 Likes |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Justiyke4u: 8:41am On Aug 26, 2016 |
KINGwax007:please don't get the op wrong. He is not saying that agriculture or agricultural products are not good or profitable but he is saying that the real profit is in the finished product than the raw materials |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Justiyke4u: 8:50am On Aug 26, 2016 |
9jii:try to reason with the op. For instance if farming can employ 1,000 people to produce the raw materials or the farm produce and make N1,000 but processing the raw materials or the farm produce will employ 10,000 people which make N10,000 then which one will you prefer? The point is that the former cannot stand alone it must be complemented by the later |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Branzy(m): 8:55am On Aug 26, 2016 |
I don talk am Nigeria need massive industrialization not all this go back to farm shit.. among all our politicians who would send their children to farm... we gat young mind let's use it well... cc lalasticala.. |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by maddock(m): 10:17am On Aug 26, 2016 |
9jii: You really have serious problem reading and comprehending English. |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by maddock(m): 10:18am On Aug 26, 2016 |
Justiyke4u: Abeg help me tell am o, I really doubt if he read and understood the article before commenting. |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by maddock(m): 10:23am On Aug 26, 2016 |
mikolo80: That's the reason the writer said "agriculture alone" please the way our excellencies are going about it can you say they have any blueprint, strategy or plan? |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by 9jii(m): 10:26am On Aug 26, 2016 |
maddock:You're worst at that. |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by obailala(m): 10:48am On Aug 26, 2016 |
maddock:A very brilliant piece; however, a child must learn to crawl before it learns to walk. 1 Like |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Branzy(m): 10:53am On Aug 26, 2016 |
obailala:how long sha we crawl.. India has start walking same with South Africa, Brazil nd Co ...... Should we continue to celebrate mediocrity.. |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by obailala(m): 10:57am On Aug 26, 2016 |
Branzy:We can actually crawl and walk and run within the same year, but we can't help but crawl first. |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by garriguy: 11:05am On Aug 26, 2016 |
U can never set up an industry without producing most of what is to be processed. Industrialization of new Zealand started with agriculture and they still maintains it. Otherwise, u will still live on importation. We have cotton, we have rubber, we have timber, but no industry to process because the military regime killed it off so as to import and make more money into their pockets with waivers. If govt talked abt agriculture, it's the way to go. With real cash crops, more industries and more rich Nigerian will process and produce so many varieties. It is not the work of the govt to industrialize but to provide an enabling environment. But who sets up a company in a country where raw materials are not enuff, though existing? Even if they did, they have to feed their plants thru importation. Massive agriculture is the way to go! 1 Like |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by mrvitalis(m): 11:10am On Aug 26, 2016 |
Please the mistake the OP is making is thinking when they said agriculture is the key it means only farm... no that's not the idea Agriculture and agro allied industry are what us meant by agriculture U have to farm coco before you can make chocolate U make to farm pig before u can make its products The truth is this value added agriculture is what we are asking and not farming |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by Warship: 11:22am On Aug 26, 2016 |
mrvitalis:garriguy mikolo80 9jii Wrong. Did you see his example of a company named MARs that has no cocoa farm but makes lots of money from Chocolate. Nigeria can buy Farm products all over the world including our local farm products, processed and Sell the products to the world. That is one area in Agriculture that will bring wealth and create jobs. maddock you said things I have clamoured for over the years 1 Like |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by garriguy: 11:40am On Aug 26, 2016 |
Warship: Your getting it all wrong.. Country A + Cocoa farms + Cocoa processing factory creates a. Jobs from farming b. Jobs from processing industry c. Jobs from exportation of Cocoa d. Jobs from exportation of Cocoa products e. Strong foreign reserve f. Money from exportation of cooca and exportation of the finished product d. Reached towards a 'developed coubtry' status by providing more than her citizen cld consume. Citizen has enuff and exportation brings more money. 2. Country B + Cocoa + no industry creates a. Jobs from farming b. Jobs from exportation of cocoa d. Fairly Strong foreign reserve e. Money from exportation of cooca but will lose same by importation of Cocoa products d. Stayed in the 'undeveloped country' status by not providing more than her citizen cld consume. Country C + processing plants a. Makes money from processing plant b. Create jobs from processing plants. c. Increases unemployment d. Reduces the foreign reserve but strengthens another country's foreign reserve. e. Makes money by exportation but loses same to point 'd' above thru importation of cooca seeds for processing f. Product us expensive for citizen Anyways... I biliv av explained enuff... Agriculture is the only way to go!!! 2 Likes |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by 9jii(m): 11:46am On Aug 26, 2016 |
Warship:If you v to argue on the importance of agriculture on any country,I 'll find sm1 to waste my time coz u r not worth my free time |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by maddock(m): 1:04pm On Aug 26, 2016 |
mrvitalis: The question here is have our excellencies done anything really serious with the various green revolation embarked on till date? |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by mrvitalis(m): 1:06pm On Aug 26, 2016 |
Warship:We don't have such forex. .. And as a populated country We should try as much as possible not to export any job That's the truth... just take a look at Brazilian economy... JBC in Brazil makes over 40 billion dollars processing Brazilian grown agro products.. . |
Re: Your Excellency, Who Agriculture Alone Don Epp? (An Interesting Analysis) by mrvitalis(m): 2:40pm On Aug 26, 2016 |
maddock:It depends on individuals.. The government do their part.. What Nigerians are waiting for is the first man to make 100bn from agriculture and then they follow |
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