NEXTGEN AGRIVOICES: From NYSC to Commercial Farming -How to Build a Career in Agriculture in Service

Can your NYSC year become the beginning of a serious career in agriculture? For many young Nigerians, NYSC is simply a compulsory year to complete before starting their careers. But what if that year could become a period of practical learning, professional growth and a pathway into commercial agriculture? In this episode of NEXTGEN AGRI VOICES, The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast sits down with Mukhtar Adedotun Raji, popularly known as “BIG RAJJ,” a Farm Operations Officer and Agronomist at AAO Farms Limited, to explore his journey from university and student leadership to hands-on commercial farming and professional agricultural practice. During his NYSC service year, Mukhtar gained practical experience managing five commercial greenhouses, developing skills in controlled-environment agriculture, crop production and farm operations. Today, his experience extends across greenhouse production, open-field farming, livestock operations, agribusiness and farm management. We explore the journey behind that experience—and the lessons young people can take from it. In this conversation, we discuss: 🌱 How Mukhtar developed an interest in agriculture and turned it into a career path 🎓 His experience as President of the Nigerian Association of Agricultural Students (NAAS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 🇳🇬 How NYSC became a practical career-building opportunity 🏡 What it really takes to manage commercial greenhouses 🌾 The difference between studying agriculture and practising agriculture commercially 📈 How practical experience can translate into professional opportunities 💼 Agriculture beyond farming: agribusiness, entrepreneurship and employment 🌍 Building innovative and scalable agricultural enterprises across Africa 🚀 Skills young agricultural graduates need to remain relevant 🎯 How students and NYSC members can deliberately use their service year to build their careers 🔮 Mukhtar's vision for the next generation of African agriculture A conversation for: Agricultural students | NYSC members | Young farmers | Agronomists | Agricultural professionals | Agripreneurs | Aspiring entrepreneurs | Young people exploring careers in agriculture This is more than one person's career story. It is a conversation about turning opportunity into experience, experience into expertise, and expertise into a career. About NEXTGEN AGRI VOICES NEXTGEN AGRI VOICES is a series by The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast spotlighting young people, agricultural practitioners and innovators whose experiences, ideas and work offer lessons for the next generation of agriculture. If you are interested in agriculture, food systems, agribusiness, innovation, careers, opportunities and the people shaping the future of African agriculture, subscribe and stay connected. The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast Food, Agriculture & Development Issues | Info, Insights, How-to, Opportunities | Nigeria, Africa, Global 🔔 Subscribe to The Lasgidi Farmer Podcast and join the conversation. #NextGenAgriVoices #Agriculture #Agribusiness #TheLasgidiFarmerPodcast #NYSC #agriculturestudents #greenhouse #youthinagriculture #agricultureuniversity