Victor EzejaLocated at the Graduate farmer’s Estate, Agbowa, off Ikorodu-Itoikin Road, his over one hectare of land beams with green life, as fluted pumpkin leaves (also known as ugu vegetable) sprawl across its length and breadth.
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This is the handiwork of local innovative farmer, Mr Jude Uwaezuoke, a clergy, who says he’s motivated to invest in farming business on a commercial scale because of the wide acceptability and consumption of ugu leaves due to its health benefits. Uwaezuoke also says his style of farming supports environmental sustainability.
Planted mostly in the rainy season, as it requires constant watering, fluted pumpkin leaf is, according to health and nutrition experts, a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron. It is also a source of soluble fibre that helps reduce cholesterol absorption. Low cholesterol reduces the risk of heart disorders. The inherent nutrients also help in lowering blood pressure, boosting immune system fertility, and reducing risks of colon cancer among other health benefits. It is used in preparing different kinds of soup and added to yam porridge, among others.
Beginning the farming business in 2018, Uwaezuoke, also called Bishop, has continued to exponentially increase the yield on a yearly basis.
“I was motivated by the wide acceptability of Ugu vegetable. Almost everyone eats and loves Ugu vegetable because of the nutritional benefits. So, as an investor, I considered it a good venture and started it in 2018,” he says.
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With the turn-up in yield from his ugu farm, Mr Uwaezuoke presently seeks sales partnerships with people across the border for it to reach places and people who dearly need it but can’t have it.
More than three tonnes of fluted pumpkin leaves are harvested weekly, he reveals in a chat with Prime Business Africa.
Speaking on his current supply system, the farmer reveals: “We supply to wholesalers, who in turn sell to retailers, who gets them to the final consumers.”
“The vegetable has to be harvested every two weeks, or else it will not continue doing well and if the market is not favourable, you sell at a loss, especially during the rainy season. This is because when the rain is there many people plant Ugu and the market is oversupplied; hence, the need for us to supply beyond our borders as we believe that people in other places need its nutritional and health value.”
Uwaezuoke also seeks further expansion of farming operations in his vast planting area. He still has enough in the area but needs more funds to get vital farming inputs like fertilizers and others which are very expensive, and means of easy transportation of the product to where it is needed.
“My plans for expansion also have to do with installing a Solar energy panel to reduce the cost of fuel, and also increase the planting space so as to harvest twice a week or weekly,” says Uwaezuoke.
Encouraging people to invest in the business, he describes it as “very profitable” but people would need to first understudy those in the business to know the best time to plant and how to maintain the farm generally.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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