Moving

Sorry people but I now have moved back to Europe, so I am unfortunately unable to continue this blog about my time in Nigeria.
If you are still interested about what I get up to photographically that is, you can follow my Lithuanian blog here:
http://tttfotolithuania.blogspot.com

New shop in town

Exclusive Stores was opened on the 28th April. Plot 1202 Ademola Adetokunbo Cresent Wuse 2 Abuja. Opp Rockview Hotel. The store is spread over 3 floors, clean and tidy and well stocked. It has a coffee shop/cafe and all the ranges and products that you can expect in a small department store. The fresh and frozen counters are yet to be opened. There seems to be ample parking and A/Cs on the premises. The problem with all new businesses in Nigeria are the lack of trained staff, so much patience will be needed at the checkout! The store has a good choice/price (in my opinion) and is on par with other stores and is presently offering several offers (Buy One Get One Free ).

Food is ready

Meat seller Karu market

Barrow boys at Karu market near Abuja.

Relaxing weekend

We decided to go camping last weekend to get away from the hustle and bustle of Abuja, a good time was had by all but there's definitely no fish to be caught in that lake. We tried all sorts of bait and lures but to no avail were we to catch any fish. Luckily we had some steaks with so we didn't go hungry and enough beer, that I never forget!!!.

Zimbabwe Farmers

While the Zimbabwean government evicted most of the white farmers without compensation (some 130 were chased off in the past month), the Nigerian government has spent millions of dollars to woo these farmers here. For the Zimbabwean farmers it's a commercial opportunity and personal challenge. For the Nigerian government, it's a chance to tap into years of expertise and kick-start commercial farming operations in a country of 140 million where farming has long been neglected. Despite the farmers' welcome in Nigeria, their time here has not been without problem. The newcomers were promised that their land would be connected to the national power grid with guaranteed 24-hour power and irrigation to the farms. None of that has happened. Everywhere there is a lack of regard to time. And in farming that's a major problem. Crops won't grow if they're not in the ground on time.
Nigerian banks have little experience of lending to commercial farmers. Though agriculture accounts for about one quarter of Nigeria's gross domestic product, that production comes from small-scale and subsistence farmers. Since crude oil exports took over as the bulwark of the economy in the 1960s, food production has steadily declined. Nigeria spends billions annually on food imports.

with the proper tools and Machinery

they are able to transform bush to arable land.

We, my family and a group of friends had the opportunity to visit one of the project farms at Masaka.(Nasarawa state) not too far from Abuja . This gave us chance to meet and discuss the farming projects that these guys have ventured into from their former Zimbabwean past. I must admit I have no idea about farming but when we arrived at the entrance to the farm I could see instantly (after experiencing 3 years in Nigeria) that these farmers knew exactly what they are doing. There was no bush, there was just fields full of Cassava, I mean aces of prepared land. Normally you only see bush with small areas of prepared growth in between trees, in other words a one family plot with a home somewhere in the midst of things.
In discussions with the four farmer we found that it was not as rosy as it looks, after a couple of years experience in Nigeria, there are only ten farmers remained out of twenty two. Some have given up and the other are battling though against problems such as monies promised by the state, not enough water for irrigation, the lack of electricity and the biggest problem of all theft of crops before they can be reaped, there last crops showed about 50-60% of what was originally put in the ground. This is definitely not what the farmers intended for all the hard work put in by them and their staff.
Unfortunately the end of the day came too quick and it was time to say goodbye. Thanks to Keith and friends for a relaxing yet very informative day at the farm, and looking forward to another visit.
We wish the farmers success for the future, and hopefully without to many problems......