Nigeria: I have a back garden of 60 by 20 ft which was formerly entirely clay
I’ve stopped buying eggs in the last one year.
By Adewale Ogunberu
Lagos Nigeria
Dec 16, 2023
I have a back garden of 60 by 20 ft which was formerly entirely clay in the middle of a housing estate in Lagos Nigeria. Over the years; I’ve turned it to a green Land. It was a mixed farming projects. Poultry Birds were raised vegetables and few tree crops planted. All the plants were raised using the poultry manure. African spinach; jute, okra plantain coconut mango and herbs are on the plot. Though a small plot, I’m making sure that every space is utilized. For instance, a form of agro forestry is practice on the plot to maximize space. All the vegetables and arable are under the tree crops. Above the crops, the poultry are not doing bad. I have three cocks and five hen. Three of the hen are producing 2 eggs per day plus or minus.
The benefit of this project in the middle of the city is immeasurable. I’ve stopped buying eggs in the last one year. I haven’t bought spinach; jute and okra in the last two years. I look forward to the growth of my pepper too. How about a few herbs on the plot. Lemon grass neem plant,, scent plant. I used them as tea occasionally which is good for health. Of what mentioning is the attraction of birds in the green space especially in the mornig. All sorts of birds wake me up in the morning with their songs apart from the cock crow. It’s like oasis for them because the location is a housing estate. At noon the environment is cool in the face of high temperature and sunlight. The plant provides good shade.
Though interesting, the project is not with its challenges but some of it are easily overcome. The cock noise is a nuisance to the neighbours it is therefore necessary to consider more hen if possible only hen as sets of birds in a quiet neighbourhood. Also I used to have foul smell but that has been overcome with good management practice by using it for some of the plants.
City farming is a worthy project and would be glad to expand it by trying vertical and hydroponics method of farming in concrete part of the compound.
Every little helps they say, In ensuring food security and more green spaces , it’s important to encourage urban farming in different cities.
