• The miraculous story of female farmer, Boluwatife
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
For 28-year-old Boluwatife Maybee, a native of Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State, farming, was not part of her dreams. Just like her contemporaries, she had aimed to pursue a career in the corporate world.
But, the life-threatening kidney ailment she had in 2018 accidentally pushed her to farming. Her sojourn into agriculture was not driven by necessity as her kidneys began to fail, forcing her to rethink her diet and lifestyle.
Determined to improve her nutrition in the battle against the renal ailment, Boluwatife started growing fresh vegetables in her backyard, for personal consumption and natural treatment. With her savings, she delved into cultivation of vegetables to support her health.
Along the line, she realised the benefits of having access to fresh produce for human consumption. What started as a small backyard gardening soon transformed into a big dream, one that went beyond personal health to creating a sustainable farming business.
Despite her determination and passion, expanding and upgrading her farm to commercial scales, became Herculean task. Like several others in agriculture, particularly women, Boluwatife faced serious financial challenges. Investors and micro financial institutions were hesitant to support her dream. This made it difficult for her to access funds to grow her business.
The situation was more difficult due to her gender. Many people and institutions she approached for assistance did not take her seriously: “It’s really hard to get financial help in farming if you’re a woman. People often don’t take us seriously.”
Like a silver lining that appears after a dark cloud, her turning point came when she discovered a programme by HortiNigeria, with an initiative aimed at supporting horticulture farmers in Nigeria.
Having partaken in the programme, she received a letter of recommendation that validated her dedication and seriousness as a farmer. This endorsement became a game changer for her business.
With the backing of HortiNigeria, Boluwatife was able to secure an investment of $379 (N500,000). This enabled her to upgrade her farm by installing an irrigation system. Before the intervention, she and her workers had to rely on rainfall or fetch water from distant sources, a time-consuming and unreliable method.
The irrigation system brought significant improvement to her farm as she could cultivate crops all year round, ensuring a steady supply of produce to the market. This not only increased her income, but also provided consistent employment opportunities for her workers. To her, farming became more efficient, sustainable and profitable.
The impact of these changes extended beyond just business success. With a stable source of income and access to healthier food, Boluwatife’s health improved. Her experience highlighted the importance of investing in small-scale farmers and providing them with the necessary resources to succeed.
Boluwatife’s Tyragrow Farms, has since gained recognition. By focusing on sustainable farming practices and inclusivity, she has set an example for other aspiring female farmers. Her dedication to innovation and resilience has turned what was once a backyard garden into a thriving agribusiness.
Recognising her achievements, HortiNigeria presented Boluwatife with an Award of Recognition for her contributions to agriculture. The award acknowledged her feats in the development of a sustainable and inclusive horticulture sub-sector in Nigeria. The honour was bestowed upon her on March 24, 2025.
Boluwatife expressed gratitude for the support. She emphasised the need for more programmes such as HortiNigeria to help small farmers, particularly women, gain access to funding and resources: “This award is not just for me, but for every woman in agriculture who struggles to be seen and heard.”