The Chief Executive Officer of Farmally Investment Limited, Olatunji David says agriculture remains critical to Nigeria’s national development, stressing that food security and affordability are central to economic growth and stability.
David said his motivation for remaining in the sector despite its challenges is rooted in agriculture’s direct impact on feeding millions of people.
According to him, “the sector’s potential for national development and economic growth makes it too important to ignore.”
He said Farmally Investment Limited operates across animal farming, particularly cattle, commodity trading, and agritech solutions.
The company began with cattle fattening before expanding into bulk commodity purchasing, storage and distribution to help farmers reduce post-harvest losses.
David disclosed that “the company has integrated technology into its operations through an investment application that allows users to register, create profiles and invest directly in cattle projects.”
He said “the platform was recently upgraded to improve transparency and accessibility, enabling people far from farming locations to invest securely.”
Addressing Nigeria’s high post-harvest losses, he said; “Farmally tackles the challenge through commodity trading by purchasing produce in bulk directly from farmers, storing it properly and distributing or selling when needed.”
He noted that this approach removes the burden of marketing from farmers and significantly reduces waste.
On sourcing inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and equipment amid import and pricing challenges, David said the company relies heavily on local sourcing, working directly with farmers and local suppliers to reduce dependence on imports and exposure to foreign exchange volatility.
He identified policy inconsistency as one of the major challenges confronting agribusiness owners in Nigeria, noting that unlike countries that provide subsidies, waivers and stimulus packages for farmers, Nigeria lacks continuity and adequate support in its agricultural policies.
David called for clear, long-term policies on cattle breeding, grazing infrastructure and food production, saying such measures are necessary to meet local and international demand and reduce inflationary pressure on food prices.
He also advocated accessible single-digit interest loans, long-term credit facilities and subsidies on agricultural inputs.
On funding, David said Farmally raises capital through its investment platform and private funding, but added that agriculture requires more government-backed credit schemes that are affordable, accessible and long-term, as agricultural investments rarely mature within a few months.
He said; “the company is coping with rising input, logistics and energy costs by focusing on efficiency through bulk purchasing, waste reduction, improved supply-chain management and the use of technology to minimise delays and operational losses.”
David said access to export markets remains difficult, citing Nigeria’s struggle to meet international quality standards, particularly in beef production.
He noted that many global companies avoid sourcing from Nigeria due to quality concerns, adding that expanding export capacity would require strong government policies on cattle breeding, processing and standardisation.
David disclosed that Farmally employs people from its host communities and invests in community development through support for children’s education, provision of streetlights, CCTV systems and boreholes, as well as efforts to improve living conditions and reduce farmer-herder conflicts.
According to him, the company measures its impact beyond profit through reduced post-harvest losses, improved community security, access to clean water for livestock, educational support and contributions to food security and rural economic growth.
David said his long-term vision is to make agriculture accessible to every Nigerian interested in participating in the sector and to help build a country where food is abundant, affordable and secure.
He described food security as central to poverty reduction and national stability.
He also said young people have a key role to play in transforming agriculture from subsistence to commercial scale through technology adoption, mechanisation and innovative business models, provided they receive the right support.
The Punch