Entrepreneurship is national service by John James

Chief Executive Officer, Sunesis Farms, 27-year-old John James, in this interview with FEYISAYO POPOOLA says Nigeria is in desperate need of entrepreneurship

What crops or products does Sunesis Farms focus on?

At Sunesis Farms, we produce palm oil and rice paddy.

When and how did you learn farming?

Being a business-oriented person, I left the university with the mind-set to become an entrepreneur. As a result, I started learning about palm cultivation and processing in 2016 while going through the national youth service scheme.

I learnt a lot about the business online, joined a few groups of palm oil producers online and apprenticed with one of them at his business site for six months.

In May 2017, I joined the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, in order to diversify my business by plugging into the rice cultivation, which has a shorter gestation period compared to my palm cultivation. Hence, I am never out of business now as we produce palm oil in large quantity in its seasons and cultivate local rice round the year.

For how long have you been in business?

I’ve been in business for two years now.

What is your educational background?

I am a graduate of accounting from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Also, I’m currently pursuing a degree in law.