An agriculturist and founder of Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited, a leading agricultural firm, based in the Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Lawrence Obasanya, has disclosed that God gave humanity the responsibility of tilling the earth and producing food from it since creation – a conviction that influenced his decision to pursue agricultural education and practice sustainable agriculture. In an interview with our Managing Editor, Olakunle Ariyibi, Obasanya noted that fighting food insecurity goes beyond giving food to the hungry, but entails creating a sustainable system that continuously produces enough food and makes it accessible to the people. He advised Nigerians venturing into agriculture to start small and grow gradually while calling on the government to support the sector by providing accessible agricultural financing at affordable and interest-free rates, especially for genuine farmers and agribusinesses. Excerpts:
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited?
My name is Lawrence Obasanya, an agriculturist and the founder of Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited, a leading agricultural firm. The inspiration behind Dehlorh goes back to my secondary school days, when I came across the account of creation in the Bible, particularly Genesis 2:59. The scripture says that when there was no rain and no man to work the ground, God provided the streams and later placed man in the garden to cultivate and care for it. That passage made a deep impression on me. I came to understand that God has given humanity the responsibility of working the earth and producing food from it. That conviction influenced my decision to pursue agricultural education. I attended agricultural institutions and eventually graduated in Agriculture (Crop Production/Agrarian Studies) from the Federal College of Agriculture, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo State. Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited is an agricultural firm established to contribute to agricultural development and help address the challenge of food shortage. The name DEHLORH is derived from my name, Lawrence, also known as Dlaw. Our activities include crop and tree production, supply of quality seedlings and planting materials, farm establishment and management, agricultural consultation, fumigation, and agricultural land services. The vision behind the company is simple: to use agriculture as a practical tool to contribute to the fight against famine, create agricultural opportunities, and promote food security in Nigeria and beyond.
What inspired your fight against food insecurity?
My inspiration comes from my understanding that agriculture is one of the fundamental ways of life through which humanity can fight famine and food insecurity. If people do not have enough food, one of the most sustainable solutions is to increase our capacity to produce, preserve, and distribute food. Agriculture provides the foundation for this. Through agriculture, we increase food production by producing cereals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, livestock and other food products needed to feed the population, we create a sustainable food supply rather than depending only on emergency food donations or food imports, we create employment and income, because agriculture supports farmers, farm workers, processors, transporters, traders and many other businesses, we improve food availability and affordability by increasing local production and strengthening agricultural value chains, we improve nutrition by producing a variety of foods that provide carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals, we build resilience through practices such as irrigation, improved seeds, proper soil management, crop diversification, storage and processing. So, for me, fighting food insecurity is not simply about giving people food when they are hungry, it is about helping to create a system that continuously produces enough food and makes that food is accessible to people. That is why I chose agriculture. I believe that if we can put more productive land into cultivation, equip farmers with the right knowledge and inputs, reduce post-harvest losses, improve storage and processing, and encourage young people to see agriculture as a viable profession and business, we can make a meaningful contribution to food security. That is the mission behind Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited: to make agriculture part of the solution to famine and food insecurity, one farm, one farmer, and one agricultural investment at a time.
Is the company registered, and how long have you been in operation?
Yes. Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited has been duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Federal Republic of Nigeria, since April 11, 2012, and has been in operation since then.
Can you briefly explain what Dehlorh Global does for a layman to understand?
Dehlorh Global Nigeria Limited is an agricultural and agro-business company involved in tree farming, crop production support, agricultural land services, and farm-related services. In simple terms, the company helps individuals and organisations to establish and manage profitable agricultural projects. Our activities include thr establishment of tree plantations, including Gmelina, Teak and Eucalyptus, the supply and procurement of quality crop seedlings, including Hybrid tenera oil-palm seedlings, cashew seedlings, improved plantain suckers and improved mango seedlings, as well as other crops and plants, fumigation and agricultural pest-control services, rendering assistance on the purchase and proper documentation of agricultural land, with emphasis on land that is free from litigation and government acquisition, providing practical agricultural support and guidance to clients interested in investing in farming and plantation development.
Do you render fumigation services to farms and storage facilities?
Yes. We provide fumigation and pest-control services for farms, agricultural storage facilities, and other relevant agricultural environments. Our aim is to help protect crops and stored agricultural products from pests and infestation.
You establish tree farming such as Gmelina, Teak, and Eucalyptus. How profitable is tree farming for Nigerians today, and how long before investors see returns?
Tree farming can be a profitable long-term agricultural investment when the right tree varieties are selected and the plantation is properly managed. Gmelina and Teak have strong commercial value because their wood can be used locally for furniture, roofing, and other construction purposes, as well as for poles and other industrial applications. They also have export potential. Eucalyptus has commercial uses, including timber, poles, pulp and paper, and essential-oil production. Under suitable soil conditions and with professional management, approximately:
– Eucalyptus: 5 years
– Teak: 6–7 years
– Gmelina: 10–12 years
The actual harvesting period and return on investment can vary depending on soil quality, climate, management practices, tree variety, market conditions, and the intended end use of the timber.
What does agricultural professionalism and consultation entail? Who are your target clients?
Agricultural professionalism and consultation means applying sound agricultural knowledge, practical experience, and proper farm-management principles to help clients establish and operate successful agricultural enterprises. Our consultation services can cover farm planning and site assessment, crop selection, land preparation, seedling selection, planting and spacing, crop maintenance, pest and disease management, farm establishment, farm management and general agricultural investment guidance. Our target clients include individual farmers, agricultural investors, landowners, corporate organisations, institutions, aspiring farmers, and people who want to establish farms, but require professional guidance.
One major fear for agri-investors is land litigation and government acquisition. How does Dehlorh Global guarantee that land purchased is secure and free from litigation?
We reduce these risks through proper land investigation and documentation before recommending land to our clients, proper land charting is carried out through the appropriate government authorities to determine whether the land falls within any government acquisition or restricted area. We also conduct thorough investigations through the village leadership, community sources, and the vendor’s family pedigree to establish the history and ownership of the land. We advise clients to complete the necessary legal searches, documentation, and verification before concluding any land transaction.
You sell hybrid oil-palm seedlings, cashew seedlings, improved plantain suckers and mango seedlings. How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of these seedlings?
As a trained agriculturist, I work with competent agricultural staff to ensure that the planting materials supplied to our clients are of good quality. For crops such as mango and other grafted or budded plants, we ensure that proper budding and grafting techniques are used. We also pay attention to the health, vigour, and suitability of seedlings before they are supplied to customers.
Do your seedlings come with planting guidance?
Yes. Our customers receive verbal guidance on proper planting, spacing, and early management of the seedlings. Where required, we also provide physical support by being present at the farm during planting to ensure that the seedlings are properly planted.
What are the spacing techniques in tree planting?
For Gmelina and Teak, we commonly recommend 2 metres by 3 metres spacing, which gives approximately 1,667 planting positions per hectare before allowing for paths and other site considerations. For Eucalyptus, 2 metres by 2 metres spacing gives approximately 2,500 planting positions per hectare before allowing for paths and other site considerations. The appropriate spacing can, however, be adjusted according to the tree species, variety, soil condition, management objective, and intended harvesting period.
Apart from oil palm, cashew, plantain, and mango seedlings, what other crops and plants do you provide?
We also provide seedlings and planting materials for crops and plants such as sugarcane, citrus varieties including orange and tangelo, coconut, and avocado pear, among others.
Do you offer after-sales support, such as guidance on planting, maintenance, and marketing for your customers?
Yes. We provide after-sales support, including guidance on planting, farm maintenance, crop management, and, where applicable, marketing and general farm-management practices.
With your base in Ogun State, do you supply seedlings and services across Nigeria and outside?
We supply seedlings and provide agricultural services across Nigeria. Our location in Ogun State does not limit us to Ogun State, and we are able to work with clients in other parts of the country, depending on the nature of the project.
How is Dehlorh Global partnering with individuals and organisations to achieve sustainable agriculture and food security in Nigeria?
Dehlorh Global contributes to sustainable agriculture by helping individuals and organisations establish productive farms and plantations, providing quality planting materials, offering professional agricultural consultation, and supporting clients with farm setup and management. We also encourage the use of appropriate farming practices, improved planting materials, proper crop management, and long-term investment in agricultural production. Our broader goal is to help transform unused or underutilised land into productive agricultural enterprises, create employment opportunities, and increase food and agricultural production. Through partnerships with farmers, investors, landowners, corporate organisations, and other agricultural stakeholders, we hope to contribute to food security, job creation, and sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria.
For a young Nigerian who wants to go into agriculture, but has little capital, what advice would you give?
My advice is to start small and grow gradually. You do not necessarily need a large amount of capital to begin. A young person can start with a plot of land and focus on a manageable agricultural enterprise. What matters is having passion, dedication, discipline, and a willingness to learn. As the business grows, profits can be reinvested to expand the farm.
What are the challenges you are facing as a farmer, and how do you overcome them?
One of the challenges we occasionally face is rodent attacks, particularly attacks by grasscutters on young oil-palm seedlings. We manage this through practical protective measures, including the use of traps and wire-mesh protection around individual oil-palm seedlings. Regular monitoring of the farm also helps us identify and address such problems early.
Where do you see Dehlorh Global in the next five years?
My dream is to see Dehlorh grow beyond Nigeria and become a recognised agricultural company with a global presence. As the name implies, my vision is to see Dehlorh grow globally while contributing to the reduction of food shortages, creating agricultural opportunities, and promoting food security in Nigeria and beyond.
In what areas do you think the government can help?
The government can make a significant contribution by providing more accessible agricultural financing at affordable or interest-free rates, particularly for genuine farmers and agricultural businesses. The government can also provide and improve storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and make agricultural machinery, such as tractors, harrows, and other farm equipment more accessible to farmers. Improved agricultural infrastructure, extension services, rural roads, and access to markets would also help farmers increase productivity and profitability.
Do you offer farm setup and management training?
Yes. We offer farm setup and management training. The training can cover areas such as farm planning, land preparation, crop and seedling selection, planting techniques, spacing, crop maintenance, pest and disease management, farm management, and general agricultural best practices. Our goal is not only to supply agricultural inputs, but also to equip our clients with the practical knowledge required to successfully establish and manage productive farms.
