Opportunities That Agriculture Offers Us!

^{in my father's farm}

Agriculture plays a very important role in my country's economy and people's lives generally. I believe this is not only in Nigeria but earth-wide because our creator Jehovah God has promised that "the earth will never cease to have seed-sowing and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night" ~ Gen:8:22 We Akwa Ibom people are engaged in agriculture. After all, God has blessed us with fertile soil and a favorite climate, making it possible for various agricultural practices.

^{cassava farm}

My state is known for its rich biodiversity and plenty of rainfall, we can boost for variety of crops, in fact, Akwa Ibom is the agricultural hub here in South-South region of Nigeria. I'm not left out, I've embraced agriculture, though I lived in the city, I've dedicated myself to planting a number of vegetables in the little space I have for personal consumption the crops I grow include okra, pepper, water leaves, fruited pumpkin and pepper.

Agriculture serves as the backbone of our local economy; it gives livelihood to the majority of the population. Our primary crops include cassava, maize, yams and several fruits and vegetables. We benefit from the tropical climate, which is characterized by 2 seasons rainy season and a dry season. Couple with the climatic conditions, our soil is rich, allowing a diverse range of agricultural activities throughout the year.

^{my okra}

I personally focused on cultivating our local diet staple vegetables. Okra, for example is our favorite vegetable, it's versatile in soups, and what I like most about it is that it thrives both in warm and humid climates. Okra is rich in nutrients and it's very costly during this season, because every crop is dried because of lack of rain. But I still enjoyed delicacies with okra because I planted it in my house and I've been watering it, this process of nurturing my crops during this dry season allows me to experience the joy of watching my crops flourish!

Another vegetable I planted in my yard is fruited pumpkin; we call it in my dialect "Nkong ubong," I've dedicated time to growing water leaves, too; these leafy green vegetables are very healthy, and I use them to prepare different kinds of meals, soups, rice, sauces, and stews. Cultivating fruited pumpkin has not only contributed to my diet but also allowed me to connect with my culture. Then the process of planting water leaves has shown me the beauty of sustainable agriculture, I mean these leaves grow rapidly without extensive resources. Growing these vegetables has helped me to save thousands of naira this dry season.

^{my pepper}

Pepper is another vegetable I grow in my house. I love spicy meals, and pepper normally gives me what I want. Different species of pepper thrive in Akwa Ibom, and it's very costly so growing it helps me save a big amount of money monthly and I can control the quality and freshness of what I take in contributing to the well-being of my family.

Agriculture has really helped my people, it enriches our diet and fosters a deeper appreciation for our land and natural resources. Planting and nurturing some vegetables on my own gives me a sense of self-sufficiency and I'm connected to my people and culture. Agriculture is the fundamental aspect of life over here. And it will continue this way as long as the earth exists. Thank you @edgargonzalez I really like the topic and I would like to invite my friends @ngoenyi @bossj23 and @blessedbee to join this contest.