News in brief:
– UNILAG Farm has successfully trained 25 women in farming techniques and recently celebrated their vegetable harvest success.
– The program aims to empower them with the skills to start their own farms and ensure food security.
A release by the communication unit of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) showcased the harvests by women trainees on the campus farm.
Run by the collaborative efforts of the Fabulous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Oworo Reality Women Group, and the school, the trainees gained both theoretical and practical knowledge.
Dr Vide Adedayo, the farm coordinator and a lecturer in the university’s Department of Geography, praised the initiative for its community-focused approach. It aims to equip trainees with the skills necessary to set up farms in their own homes and meet their vegetable requirements amidst economic hardship.
During the workshop in September, one of the women in attendance revealed that she had never participated in farming activities before. She added that it was the first time she had heard of such terms as ‘seed testing’ but hoped to use the newly acquired knowledge to start a small farm in her compound.
The women farmers also learned important skills like natural pest control methods such as using garlic and hot pepper to combat armyworms, a notorious maize pest.
They harvested okra, jute leaves (ewedu), African spinach (efo tete), Lagos spinach (efo soko), cucumbers, and water leaves on the event day, showcasing the varieties they grew on the patch of land allocated to them. Some students also participated in the project as part of their industrial training (IT) scheme alongside the 25 women.
The UNILAG Farm was established in 2019 as a research farm by the Geography department and inaugurated in 2020. Its participation in practical agricultural knowledge is in line with the directive by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) that all agricultural colleges should prioritise owning farms.
