Maimuna Idris Isah is a young farmer from Nigeria. She has turned a small farming project into a growing business, focusing on tomato varieties from East-West Seed.

Maimuna’s journey into vegetable farming started when a technical field officer introduced her to new, more efficient farming techniques. While many in her community were unsure about the potential of small-scale farming, Maimuna saw an opportunity. With the improved tomato varieties from East-West Seed, she learned that even smaller plots could produce good results when using the right methods.

The income from her farming venture has allowed Maimuna to continue her education, earning a Higher National Diploma (HND), and helping her siblings with their schooling. In addition to tomato farming, she also started a small rice-processing business, expanding her entrepreneurial efforts.

One of the challenges Maimuna faced was marketing her produce. Instead of relying on traditional methods, she turned to her smartphone to showcase her tomatoes online, which helped her reach more customers and build a steady client base. This approach has helped her farm grow and develop over time.

Maimuna’s proudest moments come when she sees her farm thriving, knowing that her hard work is paying off. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her farm from one hectare to five within the next five years.

For Maimuna, farming is more than just a way to earn a living. It’s an opportunity to build a business and make a difference. She encourages other young people to give farming a try: “Start small, use the right tools, and be willing to learn. With the right approach, farming can become a great business.”