Farming and gardening are serious businesses that are not always taken lightly, especially where I come from. People engage in them as a major means of hustling, not just for income but also for survival, because gardening provides both food and money. It is one of the oldest and most reliable ways of sustaining a family, as it ensures that there is always something to eat and something to sell when the need arises.
When it comes to gardening, I will give the credit to my mother. She is a very good gardener and farmer. In our house, right from the beginning, we have never lacked vegetables like waterleaf and fluted pumpkin, because no matter what, we always create a space around our compound to plant them. There was a time we planted so much that our neighbors got to know us for it, and they often came around to buy waterleaf from us. Gardening became part of our family identity, and it brought unity among us as we worked together on the farm.
My mother also plants cassava, and for this one, we cultivate it on different plots of land. Sometimes we sell it, but mostly we use it to process garri and fufu.
This particular aspect of farming has greatly influenced me because I now have some plots of land that I also cultivate. It helps a lot. At times, I use it as a side hustle, and sometimes, I use it to process garri for home consumption. Through it, I have learned the value of hard work and patience, which are essential for success in any field.
Another plant that my mother grows very well is the popular afang, called ukazi in Igbo. From my childhood till now, I have never seen my mother buy afang from the market because we have it in abundance in our compound. We even sell it, and we have been doing so for years. Gardening is truly a good business, and I encourage everyone to take part in it.
Photo Credit: My Phone.