Farmers empowered for soilless farming to boost food production
Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has introduced a new farming technique known as soilless farming, to address challenges of limited space and variety of crops to cultivate.
Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State has introduced a new farming technique known as soilless farming, to address challenges of limited space and variety of crops to cultivate.
Council Chairman, Chinonso Nwafor, a lawyer, says the farming is focused on maximising small spaces and achieving high yields, even for crop varieties not known to thrive in the Southeast.
According to him, the council area is intentional about agriculture.“Apart from teaching farmers soilless farming techniques, the council has also registered a farm and acquired 100 plots of land to begin large-scale farming of different crop varieties hitherto not known to do well in the Southeast.
“These are targeted at increasing yields, empowering the people and ensuring that the council area thrives,” he added.
Founder of Big Berry Farm Nigeria and facilitator of the programme, Mr. Ejike Indeke, said participating farmers would be empowered with thousands of hybrid crops such as plantain suckers, tomatoes, pepper, ‘ugu’ vegetables and others to commence the technique.
He added that the workshop was primarily to transit farmers from traditional to advanced eco-friendly farming techniques, using hydroponic soilless methods already practised in countries with less landmass than Nigeria.
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Managing Director of Orumba Farms Limited and President General of Awa, Dr. Raymond Offor, appreciated the council chairman for his well thought-out plan, saying it would revolutionise farming and bring down the cost of food items.
Participants, including Mr. Vincent Aforka from Ndikelionwu, Mr. Gabriel Orji from Ajalli and Mrs. Chinyere Nwankwo from Oko described the three-day programme as impactful, pledging to put the knowledge gained to good use.
High points of the event were distribution of seedlings to participating farmers and inauguration of cooperatives by the local government chairman.
