By Christy Anyanwu
The Managing Director, XtraLarge Farms, Ota, Ogun State, Dr Mrs. Moji Davids is one woman that doesn’t leave any stone unturned when it comes to talking about farming.
Very active in a man’s world, she proudly tells you she’s a farmer. She’s also quite passionate talking about the importance of embracing organic farming and healthy eating habits.
For her, food consumption has gone beyond the realm of just eating for satisfaction and maintaining health and wholeness. In her words, you get rid of sickness and diseases through inculcating healthy eating pattern.
Speaking with Saturday Sun, Davids, who was one of the recipients of SHE Global Awards in Ghana last weekend, shared how she was cured miraculously of fatty liver because of healthy eating pattern. She also spoke extensively about farming, its benefits and lots more.
Tell us more about yourself, your farm and businesses?
I proudly introduce myself as Farmer Moji Davids, while my husband, the CEO, proudly identifies as Farmer Seyi Davids. Our team, spanning over 120 members across five to six continents, shares this identity. We are farmers.
At Xtra-Large farms and resorts—primarily farming everyday foods like rice, beans, garri, palm oil, soya oil, groundnut oil, and plantain—are our mainstay. We adhere to organic farming practices, steering clear of chemicals. Our goal is to offer these foods in their most natural, nutrient-rich state, recognising the benefits lost when chemicals are introduced. We aim for food to be not just sustenance but also a source of vital nutrients and vitamins, akin to natural medicine, promoting holistic health. Essentially, our mission revolves around this ethos.
Our vision extends beyond mere farming; we aspire to revolutionise the perception of agriculture, not only in Nigeria but across Africa. The current stereotype of farmers as impoverished, uneducated individuals needs reshaping. We seek to elevate agriculture into a respected profession, a source of pride and identity. Embracing this vision,
You mentioned that you suffered from a fatty liver, and healthy eating habits solved this medical issue. Please clarify?
I always stress from experience that regular medical check-ups are crucial. Even if you don’t recognise their significance, I challenge you to make them a yearly birthday gift to yourself. During one of these check-ups, I received a diagnosis of fatty liver. I inquired about the treatment and was informed that it’s a condition requiring lifelong management. I found this daunting, considering I was only in my 40s.
Nevertheless, I delved into researching the condition, seeking to understand its causes and potential remedies. I discovered that diet plays a significant role. Being a farmer, I had access to high-quality food, which enabled me to make substantial dietary changes. I eliminated many items that could exacerbate the condition, including some of the plants we cultivate. Radish emerged as a particularly potent remedy.
I bid farewell to beef, late-night snacks, and fried foods. Upon returning for another check-up, I was optimistic about my management of fatty liver. To my delight, I found that my skin tone had improved. I had shed excess weight, and my energy levels had soared. Overall, I felt happier and more vibrant.
Do you mean that food could help to fight diseases and infections?
There’s a plethora of benefits from food that many people are unaware of. While you eat for a specific purpose, numerous positive effects occur simultaneously. This realisation prompted me to schedule another check-up, where I discovered that the fatty liver had vanished. Much of our health issues, around 90 per cent, stem from our dietary choices, including stress and depression.
During times of anger or adversity, people often resort to indiscriminate eating, which exacerbates their problems. Food plays a significant role—it can either harm or heal us. Personally, I’ve become an advocate for healthy living, emphasising the virtues of fresh, natural foods that are gifts from God. It’s crucial to understand that what we consume directly impacts our well-being.
How’s it like working with your husband on the farm?
There’s something we agree and practise. When we’re at work, we’re not just partners. We both understand our places, and thankfully, the business is large enough that we all have departments we can handle without coming across each other. We don’t do business as husband and wife; we do it as partners. I’m responsible to you, and you’re responsible to me, and we have to make this work. It has really helped us.
Aside agriculture, what else do you do as a farmer?
In addition to agriculture, we venture into tourism, intertwining luxury with farm life. Our resort, nestled within our farm, offers a unique experience. Amidst all modern comforts, guests find themselves surrounded by the serenity of nature. Empowerment is at the heart of our endeavours, encompassing food security, health, tourism, and community uplift. This holistic approach defines our commitment to fostering sustainable livelihoods and well-being.
Tell us more about your farming community?
What I mean by membership is that we began our farming journey 17 years ago, recognising the barriers to entry into caballed markets, especially in Africa. Despite producing excellent goods, farmers often struggle to receive fair value due to market dynamics. To address this, we initiated extensive training and awareness campaigns focused on healthy, organic foods sourced directly from our farms. This effort led to the formation of a community of consumers, ensuring a direct link between our produce and its end destination.
With over 120,000 registered members, our community continues to grow, extending beyond the initial count as members introduce our products to their families and friends. This network represents individuals who have direct access to our farm-fresh produce. This model eliminates the need for engagement in the traditional open market, as our community appreciates the value of our offerings and actively promotes them to their networks.
When you came back from Europe, weren’t you thinking something was wrong with you?
The situation and circumstances were telling me something was wrong with me. There were too many disappointments, too many obstacles and challenges we faced earlier on in the business that almost make you want to go back to where you came from. If not for the instruction, I know I’m here because of an instruction, and I know I’m not here on my own. It’s important that we seek before venturing into any business. We should seek the place of our purpose.
Am I really created for this? Is this what you want me to do? Otherwise, you’ll just discover that you’ve been walking in the wilderness for 40 years and you’ve not gone anywhere. It’s very important we discover our purpose in business. Why am I here? Is this really what God wants me to do?
What will be your advice for students who want to be farmers like you?
Focus, tenacity, consistency are three key words that must always ring in their heads. The road will definitely be rough, but when you are focused and determined, you will surely get there.
Integrity is also an asset, it will open the door of the whole world to you.
Tell us about the resort
Currently in Nigeria, we have 14 different farm locations dedicated to various specific farm produce. These include cassava farms and plantain farms. However, the extra-large farms and resorts in Ogun State were established out of a necessity to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria. Our goal is to create an environment where visitors to the farm feel reluctant to leave. We, ourselves, desire to remain in the farms without the urge to rush back home.
This initiative stemmed from a practical need. Often, we found ourselves needing to stay on the farm for extended periods, sometimes up to two weeks, only to return home to find things tampered with by staff. Therefore, we sought a solution where we could stay on the farm for as long as necessary without missing out on anything.
We want all members of our family, those registered as our members, whom we fondly call the extra-large family because we built it together, all of us. Therefore, they can also come for training, sightseeing, or whatever purpose they have at the farm and feel as comfortable or even more comfortable than they do at home. This is why we incorporated various amenities into the farm, transforming it into not just a farm but also a resort.
For those seeking entertainment, there’s a cinema; for those interested in gaming, there’s a game centre. And for those who enjoy swimming, there’s a pool. Additionally, the accommodation is designed to provide comfort and luxury, ensuring there’s no reason to rush back home. This approach has proven effective, as many who initially dismissed farming as unsuitable for their lifestyles have reconsidered after experiencing our resort.
We also extend this hospitality to young children, as we firmly believe that the future of Nigeria lies in agriculture, and that children are the future. Hence, we aim to introduce them to the agricultural business early on. Children are welcome to visit our farms, where they can engage in educational activities and gain firsthand experience.
What is your advice to the young generation about farming?
Before visiting the farm, if you ask children what they want to be, hardly anyone says a farmer. However, after spending time at the farm and witnessing its operations, when you inquire again, many children express a desire to become farmers. This transformation within just a few hours is incredibly fulfilling for us. It demonstrates the impact of exposing young minds to agriculture early on.
Planting these seeds of interest in children’s minds at such a young age is immensely beneficial. It contributes significantly to our goal of reshaping the perception of agriculture in Nigeria. Our aim is not solely focused on tourism but also on changing the narrative surrounding agriculture.