VEGETABLE FARMERS ENJOINED TO ADOPT BEST AGRIC PRACTICES

 VEGETABLE FARMERS ENJOINED TO ADOPT BEST AGRIC PRACTICES

Vegetable farmers have been told to adopt best agronomic practices such as, improved varieties of seeds and agro technique with necessary skills to maximise profit.

The Chief Research Officer, National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, Dr. (Mrs.) Oladayo Idowu-Agida gave the charge during a two-day training session organised for unemployed youths by the Institute in collaboration with Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP), at Idi-Aba, Abeokuta.

Speaking on ‘Management Practices for Improved Vegetable Productions’, Dr. Idowu-Agida who described growing of vegetables in modern ways as a veritable means of income, good sources of nutrition, especially vitamins A and C, advised participants to properly manage the production process through adequate land preparation, planting of good seeds, proper nursery management, careful transplanting with adequate spacing and regular weeding.

She highlighted proper irrigation during dry season, fertilizer application, which could be manure or chemical, adequate pest and disease control, as well as good harvesting techniques and record keeping as ways to maximise profits.

“The demand for various types of vegetable is high across the country judging from nutritional value derived from daily consumption. That means the market and profit margins are high for farmers after harvest, if the crops are grown with best agricultural practices”, Dr. Idowu-Agida said.

The resource person maintained that participants could adopt any aspect of vegetable value-addition, such as seed production, nursery production and leafy or fruit vegetable production.

Also in her lecture on ‘Economics of Vegetable Production’, the Assistant Director of Research in the Institute, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyabo Adeoye urged participants to identify markets or steady buyers before venturing into plantation, affirming that demands for various commodities of vegetable abound at local and international markets.

On her part, the Programme Manager, OGADEP, Deaconess Taiwo Ayansanwo expressed hope that the skills instilled in participants would have positive multiplier effects in food production and job creation, if they practice what they learnt and teach others.

Participants were later taken to the field for practical demonstration on modern ways of planting pumpkin, popularly called ugwu, tomato and okra, as well as ways of preserving them when supply is high in the market to avert loss.

A participant from Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area, Mrs. Mary Abegunrin who spoke with OGIS said the theory and practical aspect of the training had given them insight on how best to grow vegetables and preserve excess for future sale, appreciating NIHORTS, OGADEP and Ogun State Government for the opportunity.

Highlights of the event were presentation of certificates, free distribution of pumpkin leaf seedlings, okra and tomato seeds to each of the participants.

 

'Tunwase Dokunmu & Doyinsola Ajisebutu,

Press Officers, Ministry of Agriculture.