Director of Technical Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Anambra State, Mazi Emeka Okoli has called on Nigerians to cook and eat natural food to ensure sound health.
Mr Okoli made the call during a Training Workshop to Farmers on Good Agronomy Practices (Gap) and Seed Production, at the Agric Development Programme (ADP) Hall, Aguata Secretariat, Ekwulobia, on Aug. 17, 2021.
The Agric expert said: “achievement of sound health/longevity is dependent on pattern of cooking food, type of food cooked, type of spices used to garnish the food.
However, he added that God has the key to life and death.
“The benefits of “Ugbo Azu Uno Mantra’’ of the Anambra State Government are so numerous that it cannot be exhausted in a day’s workshop.
“We need Ugbo Azu Uno to eat fresh vegetables.
“Even when you do not have space, look out for condemned basins, buckets/any other type of container.
“Put loamy soil into it. Plant in it, in two – three weeks you have fresh vegetables to eat.
“Avoid fabricated spices and processed foods. Every tribe/culture has natural spices to cook with.
“As an Igbo man/woman, ogiri, okpeyi and Ukpaka are natural spices for cooking. They are good for your health.
“Fruits are good for health; plant as many fruit trees as possible within your compound.
“It does not take much time to produce. Having them planted within will make you eat them fresh, which is good,’’ he noted.
Mazi Okoli said: “if farmers must make bountiful harvests, they must get farming practices right.
“He gave tips on land clearing, urging farmers not to engage in burn fires in the name of clearing land for farming.’’
This is to avoid destruction of the soil nutrients. Instead, remove trees and stumps carefully so as not to damage the top soil.
“Till your land very well before planting. Give your farm the required attention.
“Do not allow weeds to contest the nutrients with your crops in your farm. Space your crops according to directives.
“Meet Agric experts for high yield seeds. Yellow root cassava contains vitamin A. It is a high-yield variant.
“Cut the stems with a sharp knife to avoid tears that may likely hinder maximal production.
“If the stems are not in the ADP Zonal Office, the office has connections of farmers that have it and are ready to direct you.
“Oba Super 6 Maize is hybrid. It contains vitamin A. It is good for health.
“Orange, Flesh of Potatoes contain vitamin A. Its stems, for planting, are available at ADP Zonal Office.
“Crops do not do well in waterlogged land. So, let there not be so much moist nor dryness but moderately moist.
“Herbicides are helpful in farming, fertilizers and other Agrochemicals, but their use must be strictly under Agric expert directive.
“ADP main objective is to partner with farmers to achieve food sufficiency, nutrition and sound health.
“So, anytime you need assistance as a farmer, come to ADP. It is free of charge,’’ he assured.
