At the Rural Is Cool Conference, held at Durian Crafts Village, Imafon, a defining moment came during a heartfelt exchange between a rural participant from Ose Local Government and Mr. Aduragbemi Fasakin, CEO of Advic Farms. During a panel discussion on “Building Stronger Rural-Urban Business Linkages,” Fasakin’s words cut through complexity and politics, offering grounded insights rooted in experience and deep empathy for farmers.
Democratizing Education for Empowerment
For Aduragbemi Fasakin, access to quality education for rural farmers without cost barriers isn’t just an ideal—it’s a personal mission. Having been sponsored throughout his academic life across three countries and two continents by the Swedish government, he believes in giving back what he received freely. At Advic Farms, farmer education and training are offered at no cost. This approach has not only equipped rural farmers with practical knowledge but has also cultivated deep trust. Fasakin shared, “Every time I bring opportunities to farmers, I’m celebrated—because they know I’m for them.” His philosophy affirms that when democratized, education becomes a powerful tool of empowerment and dignity, rather than fostering dependence.
Safeguarding Farmers from Exploitation
Exploitation often masquerades as opportunity, particularly in underserved regions. Fasakin highlighted the critical need for farmer education to reduce exploitation by foreign actors or donor organizations. He recounted a revealing incident in Ekiti State where foreign actors attempted to deceive farmers with false palm oil initiatives. Fortunately, a robust system prevented significant damage. “We worked with government agencies to formally identify and verify farmers,” he explained. “Once that was done, only registered players could engage them—and the bad actors were locked out.”
Despite this success, Fasakin warned that much more is needed to protect the agricultural sector. “This sector is not de-risked. It is not organized. Too much burden is placed on the farmers.” To prevent future exploitation, he stressed that the sector must be de-risked through effective policy, strategic partnerships, and robust infrastructure. Farmers, he emphasized, must be shielded, supported, and allowed to grow sustainably, rather than being left to navigate predatory programs on their own.
The Unavoidable Reality of Food Prices
When questioned about regulating food prices to ensure fairness and affordability across Nigeria, Fasakin’s response was sobering: “Food prices won’t drop—not under current conditions.” He attributed this harsh reality to several structural deficits, including poor infrastructure, a lack of investment, and zero industrialization in the agricultural sector. He cited Ala, a community known for its abundant plantains, snails, and cocoa, as a prime example. Despite its high productivity, Ala suffers from terrible roads, making food distribution expensive and unsustainable. Fasakin concluded, “Until we fix access roads, invest in processing, and industrialize agriculture, food price regulation will remain a dream.”
Fasakin’s insights from the “Rural Is Cool Conference” offer a clear roadmap for addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing rural Nigeria. What are your thoughts on his proposed solutions for farmer education and de-risking the agricultural sector?
Aduragbemi Fasakin’s story is not just a testimony of personal commitment—it is a reflection of what’s possible when rural empowerment is treated as a national priority. His insights and lived experiences are precisely the kind of conversations that the Rural Is Cool Conference was designed to elevate.
At its core, the conference is more than a gathering; it’s a movement to reimagine rural communities as centers of innovation, leadership, and sustainable growth. It’s about challenging outdated perceptions and creating spaces where local voices lead, where farmers are not just recipients of aid but architects of solutions.
By bringing stakeholders from across sectors together—farmers, government, NGOs, traditional leaders, and youth—the Rural Is Cool platform is driving forward a bold agenda: one where policy meets people, and development is rooted in dignity, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
The future of rural Nigeria is not on the sidelines—it is at the center. And thanks to platforms like Rural Is Cool, that future is being imagined, shaped, and acted upon.
