In recent years, there has been a significant increase in horticultural gardening, reflecting a change in the way Nigerians, particularly women, interact with their surroundings, focus on deliberate nourishment, and embrace overall well-being. Activities like cultivating vegetables, spices, and herbs—previously seen as hobbies mainly enjoyed by older individuals such as retired people, seniors, grandmothers, or rural female farmers—are now gaining popularity among young professionals, students, and families. This trend has transformed what was once viewed as merely recreational into an engaging pursuit for various demographics.
The reasons for this renewed interest are layered. For some, the economic pressures of rising food costs have inspired a return to homegrown vegetables and herbs. In cities like Lagos, Abuja and Kaduna, balconies have become mini-farms, growing tomatoes, ugu, turmeric, bell pepper, ginger, spinach, cucumber and scent leaf.
For many individuals, particularly young people, gardening has evolved into a means of personal expression and mindfulness. It serves as an avenue for rediscovering nature within today’s urban environment. Social media platforms like Instagram have seen the rise of flourishing communities centered around indoor plants and garden plots, which are increasingly viewed as both vibrant and eco-friendly pursuits.
However, this movement extends beyond mere appearances; fundamentally, the gardening trend spreading across Nigeria is also centered around self-care. Numerous Nigerians are asserting authority over their diet and lifestyle choices. For others, it serves as an avenue for physical activity and mental engagement.
Local farmers' markets and plant festivals are emerging, bridging the gap between producers and buyers while fostering discussions about organic cultivation practices and ecological stewardship. Some see this as a cutting-edge business opportunity offering substantial profits.
On weekends, Trust engages with horticulturists to discuss their endeavors and motivations for gardening.
Bridget Okpokoro from The Plant's Garden recounts how her path into horticulture was sparked by her mother, an ardent plant enthusiast. During her upbringing, she assisted in tending to decorative flora that her mother meticulously shifted between their balcony and living space. Although she initially pursued studies in English and Literary Studies, Bridget eventually cultivated a deep interest in farming, beginning with cultivating edibles on her personal balcony.
'I grew up around plants/ornamental plants, what we generally refer to as flowers in this part of the world. My mum was a plant collector, and we would help her tend to them when she was away from her business. I watched my mum switch her plants between the balcony and the sitting room. The plants made her happy, and she used them to beautify our sitting room.
I hadn’t intended to get into horticulture or gardening since I focused on English and literature during my time at university. However, over the past few years, I developed an interest in farming and began attempting to cultivate edible plants on my balcony.
I posted updates about my journey on social platforms, and many individuals encouraged me to keep going since they found inspiration in what I was doing. My initial foray into commercial agriculture involved establishing a 1-hectare plantain farm in Bwari, within the Federal Capital Territory. Despite this being quite demanding, things did not go as planned primarily because of inadequate preparation. Nonetheless, this experience exposed me to numerous possibilities within the realm of agribusiness.
Today, I've established a successful enterprise that completely empowers me and covers all my expenses.
'Bridget mentioned that gardening links us to nature, providing an enjoyable and healing experience.'
She also hints at the financial potential of horticulture for young people and the unemployed, even though it's often looked down on in this part of the world. According to her, many spice and herb plants are medicinal, while culinary herbs, when well-selected and combined, can elevate dishes and promote healthier living.
'The world of agriculture and horticulture holds great financial potential for the youth and unemployed, but sadly, in this part of the world, this hidden gem is looked down on.
Many types of spice and herb plants have medicinal properties. Additionally, choosing and combining culinary herbs wisely can significantly enhance the quality of your meals.
'She claimed that numerous individuals have cured themselves and maintained a healthy way of life through the use of herbal medicine.'
A business owner based in Zaria named Rafi'atu Zirkarnain mentioned that she began gardening as a way to alleviate stress, forge a connection with nature, and boost her spirits.
I began gardening to forge a connection with nature and decrease stress levels," she explained. "It soon became apparent that this activity was enhancing my general disposition and mental health.
She mentions that her motivation for this was purely enjoyment and the satisfaction of being able to harvest fresh vegetables from her own garden whenever she required them.
I did it for enjoyment as well as the fulfillment derived from cultivating my own produce; that sense of contentment without needing to rush around buying vegetables for cooking, but rather strolling through my garden and gathering everything I require at peak freshness.
"I began this journey out of sheer enthusiasm with absolutely no prior knowledge, but over time, I have sought information, asked questions, and learned both practically and through resources like YouTube and various social media platforms that offer valuable gardening advice. Through this process, I have cultivated numerous fruits, vegetables, and herbs—not only for myself but also to share with my neighbors and people passing by," Rafi'atu explained.
She pointed out several advantages of growing plants, such as their therapeutic effects, capacity for generating jobs, and capability to aid in recovery processes and potentially promote hair regrowth.
Apart from offering therapeutic advantages, this approach guarantees a steady supply of fruits and veggies, which helps generate income and create job opportunities. Additionally, beyond improving the taste and nutritional value of your meals, many herbs have medicinal properties. They can address various health concerns such as fevers, stomachaches, promote hair growth, serve as first-aid remedies for burns, and assist those facing financial difficulties with blood production. There are numerous other uses too.
A fellow gardener named Ms. Tina, who has an ardent passion for horticulture stemming from her youthful trips to her dad’s farm, recounted how these initial encounters ignited a enduring curiosity about the natural world. This developed over time into not only a cherished pastime but also a thriving enterprise.
'My business was inspired by growing up and going to the farm with my dad. I love nature. I love to see how we plant things and they grow, and I started having passion towards growing things around me. I started collecting plants when I got married, about 25 years ago, and I had different species.
I can trace my interest in horticulture back to my early years when it became a passionate pursuit. It remains a hobby too since I continue purchasing and collecting plants that captivate me. What began as a pastime in the year 2000 eventually evolved into a venture by 2018. Recognizing potential, I seized the chance. Consequently, distinguishing between the recreational and professional facets of this endeavor has proven challenging for me.
She highlighted the qualities that gardening has instilled in her along with numerous benefits it offers.
I would describe this experience as an educational journey. Plants and gardening impart the virtue of patience. This process has instilled in me the importance of being patient and caring for things. It has shown me that I am capable of nurturing something but may also face loss, yet at times, I can reap the rewards of my efforts.
Secondly, it has therapeutic benefits. I find it incredibly soothing; it aids in maintaining good mental health, particularly. I often advise women to gather plants. Once you begin searching for information on how to nurture a plant, it starts shifting your focus away from negative thoughts that could burden you. This process is quite therapeutic.
When you keep herbs handy, they're excellent for making teas. Recently, I've been using lavender and rosemary in my tea. Bay leaves come in useful too; I add them when boiling rice. For digestive issues like constipation, I rely on pawpaw leaves, and soursop leaves serve well as potent antioxidants. Additionally, I grow various mints—spearmint and peppermint among them. Adding these to your tea can help alleviate cold symptoms and clear nasal passages. The advantages of maintaining an herb garden are numerous and truly invaluable.
I enjoy having a wonderful setting surrounding me. I like my home to be brimming with flowers, herbs, veggies, fruit trees, and grass. Returning to this kind of atmosphere brings me immense happiness.
Mr. Ibrahim Dooba, an entrepreneur in agriculture, shared his enthusiasm for fruit trees and shed light on the garden business, highlighting its significant financial opportunities.
Gardening, especially when centered around fruit trees like mine, is quite fascinating. These plants can be multifunctional—serving as sources of income, medicinal remedies, and nourishment. Take soursop for instance; not only does it provide sustenance but it also aids in combating cancer and prostate issues. Additionally, it assists with sleep disorders such as insomnia.
'You can begin earning income with soursop right away, even if your plants are only a week old. You could start by selling the leaves. Just recently, I sold fewer than 2 kilograms of leaves for ₦50,000 and shipped them to the United States.'
'So, there's a lot of money in gardening, and that is what I like about it. And that's how intelligent people are, even those who are not interested. I tell them there's money to be made. Money is a good motivator for people. Gardening can be more lucrative than farming cash crops.'
The enterprise involves gathering and nurturing both native and uncommon plant species for enthusiasts looking to purchase them.
This includes nurturing plants from seeds along with propagating them through stem cuttings, indicating that one plant has the potential to produce numerous others via these methods. Indeed, this aspect renders the venture profitable.
In addition to the landscaping side of the venture, there are opportunities for offering plant maintenance services to both individuals and organizations. The initial investment tends to be modest; however, this enterprise demands considerable time, patience, and effort. Furthermore, one must contend with issues arising during the dry season, such as water shortages caused by climate change," Bridget noted.
A high school teacher named Cynthia Dauda shared her story about the use of freshly sourced spices by her mother-in-law in Jos.
A couple of months back, I went to visit my mother-in-law in Jos, where she showed me some curry and thyme that she purchased from a fellow church member who grows and sells various herbs.
"The taste was certainly distinct from the brand-name versions available at the market. It had a robust and intense flavor. I found it quite fascinating," she commented.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).
0 Comments