Emma Elekwa
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 the variety of crops to cultivate.
Council Chairman, Barr Chinonso Nwafor said the farming is focused on maximizing small spaces and achieving high yields, even for crop varieties not known to thrive in the South-East.
Addressing participants drawn from various communities in the area, Nwafor said 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 commence large-scale farming of different crop varieties hitherto not known to do well in the South-East.
“All these are targeted at increasing yields, empowering the people, and ensuring that the council area thrives,” he added.
Facilitator of the programme and founder of Big Berry Farm Nigeria, 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 practiced in countries with less landmass than Nigeria.
On his part, Managing Director, Orumba Farms Limited and President General of Awa, Dr. Raymond Offor appreciated the Council Chairman for his well thought-out plan, saying it would revolutionize 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 3-day programme as impactful, pledging to put the knowledge gained to good use.
Highpoints of the event were distribution of different seedlings to participating farmers and inauguration of cooperatives by the LG Chairman.
