We hope you've read Yemisi Dorcas' first column for this magazine by the time you arrived here. A passionate farmer, businesswoman and advocate for rural women's rights in Nigeria, she had a LOT to say when we asked her to introduce herself. That's why we thought she deserved a feature all of her own in order for you to get to know her. You will hear from Yemisi again on this platform.
Yemisi, tell us a little more about yourself.
I’m Yamah Yemisi Dorcas, an agribusiness owner and founder of LUK-LANE Nigeria LTD, where I focus on crop and livestock production, processing, and agribusiness solutions. Through this business, I run my farm in Northern Nigeria, Kaduna State, Saye in Zaria Local Government, where I manage a diverse livestock farm that includes goats, poultry, rabbits, snails, and catfish. On the crop side, I primarily cultivate maize, sorghum, fruits, soybeans, and rice, integrating sustainable farming practices and agribusiness innovations.
Beyond production, LUK-LANE is committed to value addition, market access, and capacity building for smallholder farmers, particularly women. I work to bridge the gap between traditional farming practices and modern agribusiness solutions, ensuring that rural farmers, especially women, can access resources, training, and profitable market opportunities.
My academic background strengthens my work in this space. I am a product of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Ibadan, Oyo, where I earned a degree in Home Economics, an MSc in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, and MBA in Finance and Investment. This blend of agriculture, education, and business enables me to approach agribusiness, research, and gender advocacy with a strategic and research-driven mindset.
I grew up in a farming family in Zaria, Nigeria, where agriculture wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life. Seeing the struggles that rural farmers, especially women, face firsthand pushed me to do more than just farm. I actively work on policies, programs, and initiatives that empower women and youths in agriculture, helping them access resources, training, and better market opportunities. My goal is to ensure that farming isn’t just sustainable but also inclusive and rewarding for those who keep our food systems running.What do you do?
I collaborate with international organizations like the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to evaluate and conduct research on agricultural development programs that create sustainable opportunities for men, women, and youth in agribusiness. My work extends beyond farming into agricultural extension services, where I bridge the gap between research and practical farming solutions to improve productivity and sustainability.
Additionally, I lead initiatives under Tammy’s International Women in Agriculture Empowerment Association (TIWAEA), which serves as the Africa-Nigeria Chapter of the National Women in Agriculture Association (NWIAA), USA. As Ibadan Chapter leader in Nigeria. I focus on empowering women and youth in agriculture through training, capacity building, and market integration.
As an educationist and activist, I design and implement agricultural training programs that equip farmers, especially women, with knowledge on best practices, financial literacy, and access to markets. I also work with Nexus24 Agrik Commodities Limited to strengthen support systems for women in agriculture, focusing on financial independence, sustainable development, and market expansion. Through this collaboration, we facilitate an out-grower scheme and leverage a 63,000MT warehousing system to improve storage, logistics, and value chain efficiency for farmers.
Why do you focus on women’s rights and sexual assault in agriculture?
Women grow food, feed families, and power rural economies, yet they remain undervalued and underserved in agriculture. According to the FAO (2023), In sub-Saharan Africa, 66 percent of women’s employment is in agrifood systems, compared with 60 percent of men’s employment, yet they struggle more than men to access land, finance, training, and markets.
I’ve seen this reality firsthand. As a young female farmer, I know the challenges women face, working twice as hard yet receiving half the opportunities. If women had equal access to resources, their farm yields could rise, leading to reduction of hunger and poverty significantly. But too often, their voices go unheard, and their contributions go unseen.
That’s why I advocate for inclusive policies, practical training, and market access, so women farmers can thrive, not just survive. Through sustainable agriculture and gender-focused programs, I work to ensure women are not just part of the food system but are recognized as decision-makers shaping its future. Because when women rise in agriculture, families eat better, economies grow, and the world becomes more food-secure.
How do you try to raise awareness?
I raise awareness through advocacy, research, and storytelling. I engage in policy discussions, conduct research on gender and agricultural legislation, and work with rural women farmers to bring their challenges to the forefront. Through quantitative and qualitative approach, social media platforms, partnerships, and capacity-building programs, I highlight overlooked issues and push for solutions that empower women and youths in agribusiness.
The future of farming is female, and I am committed to ensuring women in agriculture get the support, recognition, and opportunities they deserve.