Teryima Nigeria Limited:

Benue, a State blessed with rich Agriculture and a major constituent of the Nigerian Confluence ‘River Benue’ provides a good basis for tourism, farming and other Agricultural activities. The River banks disposed for both wet and dry season farming adopted by many countries of the world. Untapped over the years, a Benue born Agricultural Consultant Vitalis Tarnongo shared his experiences with Senior Reporters Erdoo Due  and Raphael Mbaiorga on the opportunities in the Agricultural sector.

The Transmitter: May we meet you?

Tarnongo: I am VitalisTarnongo a staff of Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Teryima Nigeria Limited. I am from Makurdi Local government area of Benue State.

The Transmitter: What is Teryima Nigeria Limited?

Tarnongo: Teryima Nigeria limited is a Benue based farming/agricultural company incorporated with providing quality seeds, crops and organic fertilizers to farmers and the general populace for optimum yield and food security.

The Transmitter: How come about this?

Tarnongo: The desire to be a better farmer than my father through utilization of the Benue fertile land and my passion for agriculture brought about the idea.

The Transmitter: Did you read Agricultural Sciences in school?

Tarnongo: No, I read Fitting and Machining at HND level and then Computer Engineering.

The Transmitter: Why did you chose farming?

Tarnongo: Well, it is my driven passion for agriculture that made me go into farming as a business. As a child I started farming with my father so when I grew up I tried other businesses but discovered agriculture is the only thing that gives me joy; it is the only way through which I can help people and touch lives through  employment, distribution of improved seeds to farmers and provision of crops/food  for the populace.

The Transmitter: How long have you been into this business?

Tarnongo: I have been into farming for over 20 years now but the business project came on board in 2007.

The Transmitter: What crops areyour specialty?

Tarnongo: I specialize in the production of improved varieties of Rice, Maize, Tomatoes, Okra, Spinach, Cucumber and Watermelon.

The Transmitter: How do you get the seeds for commercial farming?

Tarnongo: Normally, I get my seedlings from Institute of Industrialized and Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano, Institute of Research Centre Zaria, National Seed Council and University of Agriculture Makurdi.

The Transmitter: Mixed commercial farming requires huge capital and landscape how have you been coping?

Tarnongo: It has really not been easy, but thank God we are where we are today. I lease every  piece of land I use for my farming activities, I have leased land in Guma, Makurdi, Gwer west and now  I am by the River banks; a land leased to me by University of Agriculture Makurdi.

The Transmitter:  Are there any conditions involved?

Tarnongo: Yes some conditions are involved, at other places I am made to pay for the period of land usage this is however dependent on the size of land given to me but with University of Agriculture Makurdi, the story is different. The lease is more of a partnership aimed at producing better seeds for local farmers and the universitycommunity where 20% of the profit generated from the 200 hectares after the lease period of 5years subject to renewal, will be given to the school.

The Transmitter: Why river bank?

Tarnongo: Well, with the available land, this proves more productive to me because of the kind of crops I grow and I farm 3 times  a year the wet, dry and irrigation farming so, been close to the river has made it easier to carry out my activities especially irrigation farming as water is pumped straight from the river to the farm. Apart from that, the fertile land by the bank is under used,if given opportunity I will explore more of it especially for engagement of youths who are less busy and vulnerable women without a source of income.

The Transmitter: Has there been progress?

Tarnongo: On this I would say there has been progress over time, because more successes than failures have been recorded.There is ready market for whatever I grow; the paddy rice is sold to companies like Olam, Mikap and  Umza, Okra is sold to traders and so also are the other crops.Truth is, I cannot meet even the Local market demand so there is every need for more people to venture into farming business.

The Transmitter: Talking about failure have you encountered any so far?

Tarnongo: Yes I have had some failures, the worst being that of 2014 where my entire farm at Yogbo in Guma was destroyed by the Fulani Herdsmen. Their cattle ate up everything I planted, with this I lost a lot because even my Farm insurance does not cover herdsmen attack. In 2012 also, I lost a farm of                 200 hectares to flood, this happened at Iye still in Guma Local Government Area, although my insurance policy covers this, several supports also came in after the incidence as well. So I could bounce back effectively. As if that is not enough, the farmers I normally give support about 95% have refused to refund what was given to them which is a huge loss to me so failure has also being a part of this journey it is inevitable.

The Transmitter: You said you support farmers, how?

Tarnongo: Initially, I used the money generated from my farm sales to disburse as loan to farmers, but a lot of them never paid back so I stopped. Currently, I have formed anOut-growers where seeds are made available to farmers after cultivation; the produce is bought by the company and sold to processing industries particularly Tomatoes. This is resident in Guma, Makurdi, Ushongo and Buruku Local government areas where I have 30 hectares of Tomato farm. There is ready market for farmers; organic fertilizer is also made available to farmers for better yield.

 

The Transmitter: You do a lot for farming, is there any form sponsorship?

Tarnongo: No. I have partners but not sponsors. Everything I do on the farm is my personal effort. My partners have however been very supportive overtime especially University of Agriculture Makurdi led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Richard Anande Kimbir and his wife who despite tight schedule find time to see and know how the farm is faring, Institute of Industrialized and Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Kano, Institute of Research Centre Zaria and my  Indian partners. I really appreciate all they do. Let me also use this opportunity to appreciate my colleagues Engr. Msughter Baka who is the Operational Manager, Terna Iorkohol (Farm Manager) and all farm staff. They have been wonderful.

The Transmitter: How can you rate the farm yield?

Tarnongo: It has been really encouraging, for every year I harvest not less than 100 bags of rice from one hectar of land coupled with my other crops so I will say the yield is good.

The Transmitter: How possible?

Tarnongo: The quality of seeds and organic fertilizer I use on the farm are the two basic factors responsible for the high yield other than the fertile land of the state. These organic fertilizers help rejuvenate the soil and replenish lost nutrients, Post harvest loss is also prevented to a large extent by the fertilizer for example harvested yam can stay up to two years without spoilage.

The Transmitter: How well has this farm been accepted in the state?

Tarnongo:This project seems unrecognized by the state government even though individuals including Mr. Beeior Victor of Ministry of Agriculture and AFAN have come to see what is going on.

The Transmitter: Do you have a word for Farmers?

Tarnongo: Yes I have a word for both the farmers and the government. I would say farmers should never give up on Agriculture as this is the only way they can reap what they sow most especially here in Benue State. The government on the other hand should encourage youth to go back to farming by putting machinery on ground to support their efforts as this will help boost the economy since there is vast land especially by the river banks.