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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dignitaries at the event were: Prof. Greg Onwuka, Prof. Irene Ifeoma Ijeh, Prof. Ahamefula, Dr. Ahamefula, Mrs Ugwuene, Dr Mrs Igboekwe among others.

#Home-Garden,

#SmartAgriculture,

#Micro-garden,

#Urbanfarming,

#Foodsecurity,

The post Smart Agric: MOUAU Trains Farmers, Urban, Peri-Urban On Home And Micro Garden first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Home Garden has been described as an essential tool for fighting hunger, ensuring food safety and food security at home among others.

The founder, Hope For Farmers, Women and Girls Initiative (HOFWGI), Dr. Mabel Ifeoma Onwuka who disclosed this during a one day empowerment workshop in Bende, Abia state, charged women to engage in home-garden as a means of also contributing to the family finance.

The Associate Professor who decried the poor economic hardship as well as food insecurity facing various homes further urged women embrace new agricultural innovations to improve yields and feed their families.

The Ag. Director, Gender and Child Development, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, also warned women and rural farmers to desist from indescriminate use of inorganic fertilizers and planting on refuse dump sites, describing them as harmful to human health.

Dr. Onwuka prescribed the use of home-made compost manure for the production of healthy foods, as a means of saving high cost for synthetic fertilizers.

She called on farmers to always stick to the prescribed healthy standards in farming to avert further health damage and food poisoning among others.

In her vote of thanks, one of the workshop beneficiaries, Mrs. Ezinne Kalu thanked the founder, HOFWGI, Dr. Onwuka for enlightening them with best agricultural practices and new innovations, describing them as apt and helpful in this critical economic downturn.

Highlights of the workshop were free distribution of organic fertilizers, orange flesh potato vines, among other farm inputs.

The post Food Security: HOFWGI Holds Workshop, Empowers Abia Women first appeared on National Ambassador News.