Dry season farming in Nigeria presents significant challenges, primarily due to the lack of rainfall, necessitating alternative irrigation methods.
This period, typically from late November to early March, requires farmers to invest in irrigation infrastructure, which can be costly and difficult to maintain.
Additionally, the scarcity of mechanised farming equipment exacerbates these challenges, with Nigeria reportedly having less than 7,000 tractors to serve approximately 38 million farmers, a ratio of one tractor for every 5,000 farmers.
For many smallholder farmers, these obstacles make dry-season farming seem impossible.
However, Rowland Ogbeh, the founder and CEO of EridoAgro, is proving that with the right approach, dry-season farming can be feasible and highly profitable. Through innovative irrigation solutions, mechanisation access, and financial inclusion programs, EridoAgro empowers farmers to cultivate crops all year round, mitigating losses from erratic wet-season farming.
From engineering to agriculture
Rowland never planned to go into agriculture. When he applied to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, he was shocked to see his name under Agricultural and Environmental Engineering instead.
At first, he was disappointed, but his father gave him some wise advice: “Every profession has rich and poor people. It’s not about the course; it’s about the path you choose.” That moment changed everything for him.
During his university years, he embraced the field and started thinking differently. By his third year, he designed a yam harvester, and for his final-year project, he built a weeding machine. A professor once told him to think like a farmer, and that mindset stuck with him.
After graduation, he didn’t jump straight into his own business. Instead, he worked as a farm manager at CS Comstrom, where he oversaw a 150-hectare rice farm. That experience taught him the real challenges of farming, from resource management to unpredictable climate issues.
“Having funds is one thing; navigating farming realities is another,” he recalls.
Building EridoAgro and revolutionising dry season farming
In 2021, Rowland founded EridoAgro, an agricultural enterprise focused on empowering farmers through innovative programmes, training, and technology. The idea for EridoAgro was born from his experience with Alluvial Agriculture, where he conducted surveys and enumerations of smallholder farmers.
“I saw firsthand the struggles farmers face. Unlike corporate-funded projects, these farmers lacked financial stability and access to resources,” he explains.
One of EridoAgro’s standout initiatives is its Dry Season Farming Program, which provides smallholder farmers with access to 50 hectares of land in Makurdi to cultivate paddy rice. The initiative ensures year-round agricultural productivity, reducing dependency on unpredictable wet-season farming.
“With dry season farming, we can control variables like water and weather, minimising losses,” Rowland explains. The initiative also incorporates six solar-powered irrigation pumps, reducing reliance on expensive fuel-powered systems and promoting sustainability.
Recognising that irrigation alone isn’t enough, EridoAgro also facilitates access to mechanised farming tools. Through the SEMEK Program, farmers can collectively own essential agricultural equipment, such as tractors and threshing machines, cutting down production costs and improving efficiency.
Financial support for farmers
Money, or the lack of it, remains one of the biggest barriers for farmers. That’s why EridoAgro launched Farm Purse, a digital savings tool that allows farmers to set aside portions of their agricultural produce. Instead of spending everything at once, they build financial reserves for the next planting season.
“A farmer should own at least 30% of their production costs to avoid dependency on loans and palliative,” Rowland says.
The success stories speak for themselves. Take Noah Yave, who expanded his rice farm from half a hectare to nine hectares thanks to EridoAgro’s support. Usha Aondaver is another example, the 22-year-old went from being a tractor boy to managing two hectares of rice farmland. In summary, these farmers are no longer struggling, they’re thriving.
Rowland envisions EridoAgro as a catalyst for food security, sustainable farming, and financial inclusion for Nigerian farmers. Currently, the company is in talks with Pryme Bank to integrate financial services for farmers, ensuring they have access to banking and investment opportunities.
“We’re not just farming; we’re building an ecosystem where farmers can thrive,” he states.
A message to young Nigerians
For those considering agriculture, Rowland has a simple message: “Get involved. Agriculture isn’t just for those with land; it’s for anyone willing to learn, invest, and innovate. Food security is a collective responsibility.”
Whether it’s backyard farming, investing in agriculture, or supporting initiatives like EridoAgro, everyone can play a part.
With bold ideas and innovative strategies, this company is proving that Nigeria’s dry season farming challenges can be overcome, and in doing so, is helping secure the country’s future food supply.
