Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Enugu State Young Farmers Association (ENSYFA), in collaboration with the state Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation has taking its sack farming awareness programme to Eke in Udi Local Government Area.
According to the organisers, the programme was aimed at educating and empowering elderly residents of Udi town with sustainable farming techniques.
The programme saw a turnout of over 100 elderly participants eager to aquire skills in sack farming – a method that allows for the cultivation of crops in sacks, providing a convenient alternative to traditional farming and reducing the physical strain on elderly farmers.
It began with registration of participants which was geared towards ensuring a good database of farmers in the state.
The ENSYFA President, Kenneth Eze, while welcoming participants, highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
The President emphasised that sack farming could significantly ease the burden on elderly farmers by enabling them to grow essential crops like Ugu, green vegetables, pepper, and yam at home.
The training covered the basics of sack farming, its benefits for elderly individuals, and a step-by-step guide on setting up and maintaining a sack farm. Participants learned practical techniques for cultivating green vegetables (ugu), pepper, and yam.
There was a practical demonstration and distribution segment with participants actively engaged in setting up their sack farms, guided by the experts. They prepared the sacks, mixed soil, and planted the seedlings, gaining valuable practical experience.
The event witnessed the distribution of sacks filled with seedlings to each elderly participant, ensuring that all participants received the necessary resources to start their own home gardens using sacks.
