A BRIEF PROFILE OF GRACE SPRINGS FARMS

The following situation in Nigeria set the stage for the birth of Grace Springs Farms:

- The acute food problem, particularly with the poor;

- The unprofitable and unattractive nature of farming and related activities particularly at the rural level.

- The need for young people to be re-oriented, mentored and given skill sets that will make them entrepreneurs and ambassadors of positive change.

- The need for Government efforts at agricultural development in Nigeria should to be complemented by the private sector

Hence the vision for the farm was cast a few years back by Pastor Daniel Taiwo Odukoya, The Senior Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju Lagos. The Farm was set up to be an integrated agricultural and human development program; in response to the socio-economic need of the environment and with the following objectives:

- To increase the availability of quality food at affordable prices.

- Demonstrate the profitability of farming within the host community and its environs.

- Train and develop entrepreneurs in the host community and beyond.

The team is currently made up of nine people with vast experiences in different areas of agriculture.

The farm is located within a farming community; though the villagers have over time developed a high interest in off-farm income activities. The proximity of the village to other major farms, two processing factories (rice and cassava) and two cities (Lagos and Abeokuta) gives it a huge employment and marketing advantage yet to be fully tapped. Our current activities include the production of economic and arable crops such as oil palm, cocoa and maize, cassava; with the plan for further expansion. The livestock production section consists of broilers, layers while the piggery section will take off before the end of this year. Sales and marketing activities includes sales of own produce, repackaging and supplies of food items.

The Socio-economic activities are planned in response to the needs of the people as deciphered in the baseline survey carried out at the inception of the project. The first formal take off is a health education program in conjunction with medical experts and the leadership of our host community. Educational and career talks will be carried out at different intervals during the year. Informal activities carried out to help the people (particularly those we have made friends with) include the demonstration of weed control techniques and use of chemicals on the farm.

The long term plan is to be involved in production, processing and marketing of agricultural produce. By so doing, employment will be created, young adults will be re-oriented, and poverty and food insecurity situations will be ameliorated at the micro, meso and macro level.

Click to view the Grace Springs Farms Photo Gallery