Meet Maryjane Awai | Agripreneur & Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maryjane Awai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maryjane, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Growing up as a child in an average family, I could vividly remember anytime my neighbours hear my dad arguing and me crying so loud ,they’d just conclude ”it’s time to make family meals (Smiles). I grew up in a family where my dad would make sure family meals are prepared in large quantities and with one or two persons going through all the processes. Then, I realised I was not going to subscribe to stressful meal preparation and I would always look for ways to get ready to cook products each time. Unfortunately, only a few families could afford products of these nature and coming from an average home, dad would always prefer the organic farm produces which In turn increases the total time necessary to make a pot of meal. At a time, a particular delicacy made with Black eyed peas (Moimoi) was scrapped from our menu because no one want to go through that stress anymore. At 21 I started researching on ways to help my family, small scale food vendors , diaspora and other families especially the busy one get their food ready in 20mins without spending so much from their daily food budget and at 24, I registered my food processing and packaging business called FARMCRAFT FOODS were we process organic ready to cook farm produces like beans flour, ready to cook hand-picked peas, peeled peas for peas pudding (aka-Moimoi) and other products yet to be launched.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business Farmcraft Foods Nig. an agricultural food based business located in the commercial heart of Nigeria, Lagos hygienically process and package locally cultivated farm produces that helps individuals, households,businesses, government organisations and non governmental organisations meet up with their daily food preparation time, reduces food preparation stress, helps in contributing to patronage of local food consumption, improved living standards and as well decreases post harvest food losses amongst local farmers . Our products includes, ready to cook peas, peeled peas, peas flour, and others yet to be launched. Since our business started officially 17months ago, we are proud to say that we have been able to provide our customers about 6OOOkgs of our products put together. Our pricing structure and the ability to communicate with low income earners in our community is what set us apart as most of this ready to cook organic farm produces are usually found in superstores targeting high income earners. Our solutions do not only relate with low income earners but partner with other businesses in creating more values in the sector.

As a newly launched business, I feel proud knowing that my business do not only meet households subsistence needs, but helps small scale businesses especially street food vendors increase their daily sales target by helping them avert the stress and time incur before delivery their services.

Looking back at where I was and where I am now, I would say, God has been faithful It has never for a day be by my strength, I credit it to God who gave me the strength to face my fears after been talked down by someone that I thought was supposed to be a motivation to me. Sometimes my strength fails earnestly and I just want to cry out my fears but I’m grateful that there have never been a day, I thought of giving up. It has never been easy especially having to start a world class visioned business in an environment where policies do not encourage small businesses and the economy keep crashing by the day (smile).
I over came this , by just simply being “consistent “ making sure I preach my craft or my product to people I meet on a daily basis. I never stopped being proud of my solutions . I have learned that paying attention to your passion would in real sense take your mind off depressing situations and over time I have learn to focus my attention on what I love and can do.

At farmcraft Foods, we do not only target our community but other communities across Africa and diasporas. We export to countries like United Kingdom, United States and Canada as we also partner with other businesses across Nigeria in providing hygienically organic processed farm produces like beans, soybean , corn , ginger , plantain flour, coconut powder etc. We believe in integrity and we initiate excellence in providing quality service.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am not really an out door person (lol) though I love nature. I love to visit the Suspended lake in Oyo state Nigeria. I would recommend Lekki Conservative centre in Lagos . It’s a natural place to behold, where you see and hear histories of animals and even those that are on extinction. I also would recommend anyone coming into the city to try as much as possible to taste our local delicacy like, Afang Soup, Amála and Ewedu, Edikang ikong , 9ja party jellof from any bukka. . In Nigeria, bukkas makes the most delicious local meals. If you are a lover of Art works, I recommend you check out Nike Art gallery Lekki, Lagos , Felá Shrine and especially one should attain Felaberation night to learn more about the great legend Fela Kuti.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First. I would love to say a big thank you to God almighty for the strength to remain consistent in what He actually gave me as a gift to impact my community.As a faith based person, I have lived in the goodness of God throughout this journey I believe without the help of the Holy Spirit some milestone I have achieved within 24months of our operations, would not have been possible. My shout out goes to my parent, Mr and Mrs Emmanuel Awai for their unconditional love and sacrifices so far, they literally endured my weaknesses and didn’t stop supporting my dreams. And to my 3 siblings and cousins , Bassey, Joseph, Franka , Idongesit, Elisha, Saviour for always standing in as hype men and women in promoting vision.

Shoutout to My friend and Mentor Mr David Nyerome for choosing to support my vision, from the very first day he heard my story and the vision of my business. He never stopped encouraging and creating pathways for the brand.

Shout out to my American friend and distant mentor- Mr Craig Bryan for pushing me to starting what I used to see as a hard thing to do. Starting my business the next day after we discussed, is the best thing that has happened to me as a
person.

Shout out to my friend Shalom Ekpo, thank you for always been there and for all your encouragement and supports.

Shout out to my pastors, Pst Ose& Pst Naomi Imiemohon meeting you 13 years ago was not a coincidence but a pre arrangement from God. Thank you for moulding my faith and instilling the spirit of excellence in me and to my friend in the industry , Mitchel Chukwudi, thank you for not withholding relevant informations when it mattered the most. I’m thankful for you.

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