Farm Story: My Journey As A Farmer

#Farmstory by Osho Abosede

Agriculture is a wide field of study that should not be written off, the cultivation of crops and rearing of animals has a major impact on our nation for the provision of food all year round.

My name is Osho Abosede, a 400L student of the crop and environmental protection department, at LAUTECH. I had always anticipated being a biochemist but my longing was cut short when I gained admission into the university. Although, while in secondary school, I was a lover of agriculture and I was one of the best students of Agricultural sciences. This made me feel that if being a biochemist is not working out, being an agriculturist won't be bad. Funny choices right? A biochemist and an agriculturist.

Unfortunately, I had to change my course to an agricultural science course because of the unplanned conditions.

My first year as an agricultural science student was one new experience that I enjoyed every bit of. The exam period has been stressful though, but as a student that is what I signed up for.

Our internship is fixed for the 400 level which I have always anticipated for practical works of what we have been taught in class.

When the list for the first batch was dropped, I was so proud of myself for being part of the first batch. My farm experience from day one till date has been an interesting one.

There was the general week before we were grouped for our Internal internship, I am still looking forward to my external internship. During the general week, I made new friends, and I had the opportunity to practice a few things we have learned in class.

However, my first day at the farm was not an exciting one, although I learned something. I was to work at the cattle, sheep, and goat unit(CSG).

I was to practice rigging which is selective weeding. About three of us were given quite a large portion to work on. The crop we were to work on was Guinea grass (Panicum maximum), for ruminant animals to feed on. We were asked to clear weeds around it for easy access of the animals to their feed.

I had to go in between them to weed with my hands to avoid damaging the crop. In the end, I ended up having body hitch and reactions on my skin. My skin was reddened for days but I said to myself, "It is part of the process".

The general week was spent in different units for both animals and crops. At the end of the general week, I resumed farming properly. Our units were changed at the end of each week for comprehensive knowledge of each unit. Farm experience has been an intriguing one as it has been a satisfaction to some of my curiosities.