Grass Root Agriculture In Nigeria

23/09/2025

PLEASE READ THIS PIECE SLOWLY TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORT.

A Quiet War on Our Soil: How Aid, Chemicals and Banditry Are Strangling the North

By Al-Amin Isa

When “Aid” Becomes a Curse: The Ginger Crisis in Kaduna

What was sold to us as help has turned into a slow death for ginger farmers in Kaduna State.

USAID came with seeds to “boost quality.” Instead, ginger farming collapsed under a devastating fungal outbreak (Proxipyricularia zingiberis). By 2023, over 90% of crops were gone. Once-prosperous farmers were pushed into debt and despair. A bag of ginger that used to sell for ₦50,000 now costs ₦800,000 or more—if you can even find local ginger. Our markets are flooded with bland imports, while Nigeria’s once-famous ginger gasps for survival.

Is this just bad luck? Or could it be deliberate? When donations destroy our soil, poison our fields, and cripple an industry that once put Nigeria among the world’s top exporters, we must ask: who really benefits?

Economic Sabotage in Slow Motion

This is not just farming gone wrong. It is economic sabotage unfolding in silence. Ginger, once a proud export crop, is now a story of poisoned fields and shattered livelihoods. Many farmers have abandoned it altogether, retreating to rice, beans, or maize—anything that promises survival.

Now the government is rushing to talk about “crop rotation,” “organic farming,” and “disease surveillance.” But where was this urgency when the crisis began? Why did no one hold foreign donors accountable when the collapse first showed its teeth?

Aid or Dependency?

We must face the uncomfortable truth: not all “aid” is meant to help us. Sometimes it is dependency disguised as development. When our farmers cannot plant without foreign seeds, when our soils are tied to foreign chemicals, and when our markets depend on imports, then our sovereignty is compromised.

Kaduna’s ginger is not just a crop. It is a warning. It shows how careless leadership and blind faith in foreign solutions can devastate local industries.

Food and Security: One Struggle

And ginger is only part of the story. Across northern Nigeria, insecurity, banditry, and kidnappings now define rural life. Farmers cannot farm. Herders cannot move cattle. Traders fear the roads. What remains of our agricultural backbone is being systematically broken.

This is no coincidence. Destroy the soil, scatter the herds, and empty the markets—then a proud people are left hungry, weak, and divided.

The Lesson

Food security is not just about hunger—it is about survival, dignity, and sovereignty. If we cannot protect our farms and our people, then we are handing away our future.

The North must wake up. Our silence, our docility, is costing us our land, our livelihoods, and our children’s tomorrow.

Because the truth is simple: the war is already here. Not with bombs and bullets, but with soil, seed, and hunger.

11/05/2025

In Nigeria, coconut is produced in about 22 states with Lagos leading.

Lagos cultivate about 70 percent of the total coconut

Other states include Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Rivers and Taraba etc

In fact, Nigeria stands to earn over N20b yearly from coconut derivatives.

A 10 Hectare farmland of hybrid coconut can earn revenue of between N30 million – N100 million annually for the next 50-80 years.

That is depending on the variety of the coconut planted.

Demand for coconut have risen massively over the years in the field of cosmetics, medicine 💊 and in processing industries


To start your own farm
Reach out to an agric centre close to you for your seedlings

15/02/2025

Farming has been an integral part of human civilization since the dawn of time. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the significance of farming has only intensified, highlighting its crucial role not only in sustaining life but also in promoting environmental stewardship and economic stability. Therein lies the compelling argument for why everyone should engage in farming. Primarily, farming serves as the cornerstone of our food systems, providing the essential nutrients required for human survival. In an era characterized by growing populations, food security remains a pressing global challenge. By participating in farming, individuals contribute to the enhancement of local food supplies, thereby reducing dependence on mass-produced, far-transported food items that often come with a substantial carbon footprint. This localized focus on agriculture promotes fresher, more nutritious food, benefiting individual health and community well-being. Furthermore, farming fosters a deeper connection to nature. It imparts an understanding of the delicate balance required to sustain ecosystems, encouraging practices that are harmonious with environmental conservation. Engaging in farming enables individuals to appreciate the intricacies of ecological relationships, from pollinators that enable plant reproduction to the soil microbes that enable plant growth. Such awareness is indispensable in an age where environmental degradation poses a dire threat to global sustainability. Economically, farming can serve as a vibrant sector for rural development, offering employment opportunities and fostering economic self-sufficiency. For individuals, engaging in small-scale farming can lead to entrepreneurial ventures, and for communities, a strong agricultural base can mean the stabilization of local economies. Diversifying one's skill set through farming can lead to innovative practices that not only boost productivity but also enhance resilience to economic shocks. In conclusion, farming represents far more than a mere occupation; it is a vital practice that upholds the life-supporting systems of our planet. By participating in farming, individuals not only secure their own food supply but also actively contribute to a sustainable future. Engaging in farming allows for a more profound appreciation of nature, an adherence to responsible environmental practices, and bolstering economic independence. In orchestrating a harmonious cycle between humanity and the earth, farming emerges as a pivotal endeavor, worthy of consideration by all.

Send a message to learn more

11/11/2024

Grow potatoes in containers at home with just one potato
What You Need
One seed potato (or sprouted potato)
Large container (10-15 gallons, with drainage holes)
Potting soil or compost
Fertilizer (optional)
Water
Steps
1. Prepare the Potato: Cut a sprouted potato into 2-3 pieces, each with "eyes." Let them dry for 24 hours to prevent rotting.
2. Prepare the Container: Choose a large container with drainage holes. Fill with 4-6 inches of potting soil or compost, mixed with a bit of fertilizer.
3. Plant the Potato: Place the potato pieces (sprouts facing up) on the soil. Cover with another 4-6 inches of soil, leaving room to add more soil as the plant grows.
4. Water Regularly: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch feels dry.
5. Add Soil as Plants Grow: As green shoots emerge, keep adding soil to cover the lower parts, leaving the top leaves exposed. This promotes more tuber production.
6. Provide Sunlight: Place the container in a sunny spot for 6-8 hours of light daily.
7. Harvest: After 10-12 weeks or when foliage yellows, gently dig to find potatoes.
Tips for Success
Use a large container with good drainage.
Choose healthy seed potatoes or sprouted ones.
Add soil regularly as the plant grows.
Protect from frost.
Benefits
Space-Saving: Ideal for small spaces.
Easy to Manage: Control soil and pests effectively.
No Digging: Simply empty the container to harvest ♦️Trust me! You're missing a lot if you haven't joined this group yet 👇🏼
📌link : Barbara ONeill Health Tips

11/10/2024

🌟 **Wait for it...** 🌟

Patience is a superpower! Sometimes, the best things in life take time. Whether it's a dream you've been working toward, a relationship that's blossoming, or a personal goal you're striving for, every moment spent waiting is a step closer to something amazing.

Remember, good things come to those who wait! What are you waiting for that you believe will be worth it? Share in the comments! 👇✨

08/09/2024

Huge tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers with just one tablet, never had a harvest like this

Achieve Massive Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Peppers with This Simple Tablet Trick

Growing large tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers is possible using a simple, lesser-known trick. Discover how a common household item can transform your garden yields.

Boosting Garden Growth with Aspirin Many gardeners dream of harvesting bountiful fruits but struggle to achieve good results, especially when lacking a green thumb. While trial and error is part of the gardening journey, switching from chemical products to a more natural approach can often be beneficial.

The Challenges of Traditional Gardening Traditional gardening methods often involve the use of chemicals to fend off pests and diseases, which can sometimes do more harm than good. Instead, turning to natural remedies can offer surprising benefits with fewer downsides.

Unlocking the Secret to Bountiful Crops Dedicating time and effort to garden care does not always guarantee success, leading to frustration and disappointment when plants fail to thrive. However, a miraculous remedy exists that not only requires patience and passion but also the use of aspirin—yes, the same aspirin used to treat human ailments.

How Aspirin Works Wonders in the Garden It might sound surprising, but aspirin has proven benefits for plants. It helps them defend against insects and recover from malnutrition and disease by mimicking the effects of salicylic acid, a compound plants naturally produce under stress. This boosts their immune system, similar to its effects in humans.

Using Aspirin to Supercharge Plant Growth A single aspirin tablet can significantly increase the size and health of your plants, leading to enormous fruits and vegetables, and revitalizing even those that seem beyond help. Aspirin helps plants better withstand adverse conditions like bad weather and enhances their ability to fend off problems and diseases.

Application Tips To harness the power of aspirin in your garden:

Dissolve one aspirin tablet in a liter of water.
Use this solution to water your plants, targeting the leaves before the roots.
Apply once a week, or more frequently depending on plant conditions and moisture levels.
Considerations and Cautions While aspirin can dramatically improve plant growth and yield, it is important to be mindful of potential side effects, such as impacts on beneficial insects like bees that are essential for pollination.

By integrating aspirin into your gardening routine, you can experience unprecedented growth and size in your vegetables and flowers, making your gardening efforts more productive and rewarding.

04/09/2024

Unlock 10 Brilliant Ways Baking Soda Transforms Your Garden
1. Natural Fungicide: Mix baking soda with water and liquid soap to spray on plants and combat fungal diseases like powdery mildew.

2. W**d Killer: Directly apply baking soda on garden weeds to kill them without harming surrounding plants.

3. Pest Deterrent: A mixture of baking soda and flour can deter pests like cabbage worms and aphids when dusted on plants.

4. Soil Amendment: Baking soda can be used to neutralize overly acidic soil, improving the environment for plant growth.

5. Tomato Sweetener: Sprinkle baking soda around tomato plants to decrease soil acidity, resulting in sweeter tomatoes.

6. Compost Enhancer: Speed up the composting process by making the environment more alkaline with baking soda.

7. Odor Absorber: Neutralize odors in areas like compost bins by sprinkling baking soda.

8. Tool Cleaner: Clean gardening tools by scrubbing them with a baking soda paste to remove dirt and rust.

9. Seed Germination: Enhance seed germination by soaking seeds in a baking soda solution before planting.

10. Ant Repellent: Deter ants by creating barriers with baking soda around plants or ant trails.

27/08/2024

An Introduction to SOIL-LESS FARMING!

Let's talk about Hydroponics today!

What is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without using soil. Instead, plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water solution that provides all the essential minerals directly to the roots. This innovative farming technique allows plants to grow faster, produce higher yields, and use less water compared to traditional soil-based methods.

How Does Hydroponics Work?
In a hydroponic system, the plants' roots are either submerged in or regularly misted with a water-based solution that contains all the nutrients the plants need. Since the roots don't have to search for nutrients in the soil, they can absorb them more efficiently, leading to quicker growth and healthier plants.

Types of Hydroponic Systems:
1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT): A thin film of nutrient-rich water continuously flows over the roots, allowing them to absorb nutrients while getting enough oxygen.
2. Deep Water Culture (DWC):Plants are suspended in a solution of nutrient-rich water, with their roots fully submerged, providing constant access to nutrients.
3. Drip System:Nutrients are delivered to the plant roots through a network of tubes, providing precise control over the feeding schedule.
4. Wick System: Nutrients are drawn up to the roots through a wick, making it a simple and passive system.
5. Aeroponics:Roots are suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient solution, providing maximum oxygen exposure and nutrient absorption.

Benefits of Hydroponic Farming:
1. Faster Growth: Plants in a hydroponic system can grow up to 50% faster than those in soil because they have direct access to nutrients and optimal conditions.
2. Higher Yields: The controlled environment of hydroponics allows for more frequent harvests and higher crop yields.
3. Water Efficiency: Hydroponic systems use up to 90% less water than traditional farming since the water is recirculated and reused.
4. Space Efficiency: Hydroponics can be set up in smaller spaces, making it ideal for urban farming or indoor gardening.
5. Pest and Disease Control: Without soil, there is a reduced risk of soil-borne diseases and pests, leading to healthier plants and fewer pesticides.
6. Year-Round Growing: Hydroponic systems can be operated indoors, allowing for consistent crop production regardless of the season.

Are you interested in hydroponic farming?

The GOOD NEWS is that you can now ORDER for our STEP by STEP PDF Hydroponic Farming guide book and get an INTRODUCTION to hydroponics, learn all essentials you will need for your first hydroponics systems, instructions how to construct different hydroponics systems, what plants to grow and much MORE!

Order for your Hydroponic Farming PDF guide book via WhatsApp here:😍👉 wa.link/8lkxix

YOU WILL ALSO BE ADDED IN ONE of our iMaDe FARMs WhatsApp groups after you have received the book!

Follow our WhatsApp Channel for IMPORTANT FARMING TIPS here:👇😍🌱 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va46SjbGJP8JeCLgTh3a

Keep learning with iMaDe FARMs 🧡🤍💚

25/08/2024

6 Tips for Growing Avocado in a Pot and for it to bear fruit 🥑

guide here ⬇️⬇️
https://easyyum.familyfreshrecipes.com/2024/08/25/6-tips-for-growing-avocado-in-a-pot-and-for-it-to-bear-fruit

24/07/2024

1. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil for planting onions. Onions prefer loose, fertile soil with a pH level of 6.0-7.5.

2. Prepare the soil by loosening it with a garden fork or tiller. Remove any weeds and rocks from the area.

3. Onions can be planted from seeds, sets (small bulbs), or transplants. If planting from seeds, sow them directly into the soil in early spring, about 1/4 inch deep and 1 inch apart. Thin the seedlings to 4-6 inches apart once they have sprouted.

4. If planting onion sets, plant them about 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows. Make sure the pointed end is facing up.

5. If using transplants, plant them about 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows. Water the transplants well after planting.

6. Water the onions regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Onions have shallow roots, so they require frequent watering, especially during dry periods.

7. Fertilize the onions with a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks to promote healthy growth.

8. Mulch around the onions to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

9. Harvest the onions when the tops have turned yellow and started to fall over. Pull the onions out of the ground and allow them to dry in a warm, dry place for a few days before storing them. Onions can be stored in a cool, dry place for several months.

By Humble beginning

23/07/2024

I’m here to share 8 mistakes I made growing tomatoes in containers, so hopefully, you can avoid them

1. Using Too Small Containers
Mistake: Started with small pots.
Tip: Use large containers, at least 5 gallons, for adequate root growth.

2. Poor Drainage
Mistake: Insufficient drainage holes led to waterlogged soil.
Tip: Ensure multiple drainage holes and elevate pots slightly.

3. Wrong Soil Mix
Mistake: Used garden soil that compacted and didn’t drain well.
Tip: Use high-quality potting mix and add perlite or vermiculite for better drainage.

4. Inconsistent Watering
Mistake: Inconsistent watering, leading to overwatering and drying out.
Tip: Maintain consistent moisture. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Consider self-watering containers or drip irrigation.

5. Insufficient Sunlight
Mistake: Placed containers in a partially shaded area.
Tip: Ensure at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Use grow lights if necessary.

6. Not Supporting the Plants
Mistake: Failed to provide proper support, causing tangled and broken stems.
Tip: Use stakes, cages, or trellises to support plants as they grow.

7. Ignoring Nutrient Needs
Mistake: Underestimated nutrient needs.
Tip: Fertilize regularly with a balanced fertilizer or one specifically for tomatoes.

8. Planting Too Many in One Container
Mistake: Overcrowded containers by planting multiple tomatoes in one pot.
Tip: Plant only one tomato per container for sufficient space and nutrients.