The Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development (CGYCD), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) has organized a one-day training on smart home and micro- garden for farmers, urban and Peri-Urban dwellers.
Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka, demonstrating Home and micro-Garden to trainees.
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, MOUAU, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe reiterated the institution commitment towards providing practical knowledge, innovative and technological skills towards ensuring food security in South-East and Nigeria at large.
MOUAU VC, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, represented by MOUAUWA President, Dr. (Mrs) Nkechi Nkem Iwe at the event recently.
Represented by the President, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Women Association (MOUAUWA), Dr. (Mrs) Nkechi Nkem Iwe, the Vice Chancellor further commended the Director, CGYCD, Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka for her innovative approach towards solving problems of hunger and food scarcity.
Prof. Onwuka making illustrations at the event.
Iwe thanked her and urge the beneficiaries of the training to make utmost use of the knowledge and skills gain to boost food production and improve their household income.
Prof. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka Director, Centre for Gender Youth and Child Development, MOUAU.
In her remark, the Director, CGYCD, MOUAU, Prof. Mabel Onwuka expressed worries over the recent exponential increase in the price of sundry food items, enjoining Nigerians to grow some of the crops they consume, hence, the need for the home garden training.
The Agricultural expert noted that growing one’s crops is a way of saving money and also enjoying fresh crops produced at home. She added that the smallest backyard space can produce good amount of vegetables, fruits, herbs among others at the least expense.
MOUAUWA President, Dr. Nkechi Nkem Iwe (Middle), Director, CGYCD, Prof. Mabel Onwuka (1st Right), Deputy Director, CGYCD, Dr. Ngozi Achi (2nd Left), Resource Person, Jerry Josa (1st Left) among others.
Elaborating on the theme entitled: “Arts of growing healthy crops in home and micro gardens”, the Mr Josa Jerry who is one of the resource persons, described home garden as a small piece of land near, within or adjacent to a building where human settles, stating that Nigerians can grow food in and around their homes.
The participant were further informed that home-gardens are not done on soil alone but can be done in water solution called hydroponics and in air called aeroponics.
Having a home garden can help reduce the wastes in household, through their conversion into organic fertilizer.
Crops like yam, pepper, tomatoes, telferia spp (fluted pumpkin) among others could be planted at homes using tyres, containers, sack and poly bags to utilize the space available at the balconies, kitchen counter, small yards among others.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director, CGYCD, Dr. Ngozi Achi has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the innovative research findings and trainings from MOUAU to feed their households qualitatively as well as improve their income, adding that the inflation of food items is becoming unbearable to everyone.
In her vote of thanks, Prof. Maryann Chinwe Ndirika thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the Director CGYCD for organizing the training, describing it as apt owing to the escalating food prices in the market.
Interacting with one of the beneficiaries; Miss Onyema Cynthia Chinaza, a graduate of Biochemistry, she thanked the university for organizing such training, urging for its sustenance. She promised immediate and profitable use of the knowledge acquired from the training.
