Every year for five years, my wife would always buy new farming implements and seed crops for making a farm that never actually took off in the way a farm should be. The reason was that she was always thinking that I might take the farming seriously and produce food crops for the family.
For those five years, I have actually acted like I was going to do the farming but somehow I always fall back and abandon the whole thing even after managing to clear the land and plant some seeds. The plot of land we wanted to cultivate was our own building site since we have not been able to work on the construction of the house yet.
Last year, when she saw my unserious attitude towards farming, she decided to take the matter into her own hands and went to clear the land with the help of some kids together with our children. She planted corn, vegetables and cassava on her own without bothering me to help or even asking for my input.
However, that would be the last thing that was done on the farm because she left the work thinking I would eventually take over and start maintaining it. But as usual, I neglected the farm and let the weeds take it over. This has happened consecutively for the past five years and my wife has grown increasingly frustrated with my lack of commitment to taking on such responsibility even when I knew how helpful it would be to the family.
When we moved to a new house last September, the house we moved into has a very large spacious backyard and at both sides of the house, there are empty spaces that can be used for farming. I was thinking that my wife would be so excited about this opportunity to make a farm right behind the house. But, somehow, she didn't seem to show any concern about that. Even when I tried to bring up the matter she never showed any interest.
One day, she came back from the shop with a new cutlass, well filled and looking sharpened. I thought she finally wanted to say something about us making a farm in the yard, but still nothing came out of her mouth. At that point I knew that she was tired of speaking to me about farming and wanted me to take action on my own. So, I decided to finally show some seriousness and get to work on the farm myself.
Every morning and evening, I work on the open spaces, clearing the weeds and grass preparing the soil for planting of seeds. I went to the market myself to buy seeds for planting. I planted corn, vegetables and melon seeds. Meanwhile, through all that I have done, my wife still hasn't said anything about the farm. She just keeps watching me, and I know she is waiting to see if I will finally follow through this time or abandon it like I have done in the past.
Though my wife made the initiative by buying the cutlass, I know she wanted to test me, but this time, I have already decided that I will make this farm work no matter what it takes. The farm is in the yard and there's no reason why I can't maintain it properly this time around. So far, I have been taking the farm work as a form of exercise routine and it has been keeping me fit and healthy while also giving me a sense of purpose.
The Unserious farmer is finally becoming serious and I felt a sense of accomplishment when I saw the corn I planted a few days ago sprouting above the soil. I hope my wife will be happy with me this time when the farm produce comes in.