By Shulamite Owhoekevbo
In a renewed push for food security and self-reliance, civil servants in Delta State have been encouraged to venture into homestead gardening to produce fresh, healthy food and earn extra income.
The Head of Service of the state, Dr. (Mrs.) Mininim Oseji, made this known while declaring open a one-day workshop on “Development and Management of Homestead Gardening” held at the Conference Hall of her office. The training attracted 50 staff from various directorates under her office.
Dr. Oseji, who expressed satisfaction with the turnout and enthusiasm of participants, described homestead farming as a valuable initiative that would serve as a second stream of income for civil servants while also promoting household food production.
“The aim of this workshop is to equip our civil servants with practical knowledge on homestead farming. With the right guidance, this initiative will help many households grow their own food and reduce market dependence,” she said.
In goodwill messages, Permanent Secretaries Mr. Maxwell Ause (Directorate of Cabinet and Administration), Mr. Henry Onyeukwu, and Mrs. Obianuju Osadebay (Functioning Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources) praised Dr. Oseji for initiating the project. They noted that her passion for staff welfare was evident in her commitment to the program.
Participants were urged to seek expert advice and obtain farming inputs from reputable sources to ensure success.
Resource persons Hon. Paul Okpue, Mr. Clement Orherhe, and Mr. Onyia Nwabueze demonstrated practical techniques for growing vegetables such as tomatoes, okra, peppers, onions, cucumbers, and carrots using fertilizers and organic methods. They walked participants through key farming stages—planning, land preparation, planting, management, maintenance, and harvesting.
They also stressed the importance of soil testing and proper land layout to maximize yields and advised sourcing quality seeds to withstand varying environmental conditions.
Also present at the training were the Functioning Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishments and Pensions, Mr. Kingsley Olumukoro, and several directors.
The workshop, organized by the Civil Service Agricultural Project Committee, is part of a broader effort to empower civil servants with practical skills for sustainable living and economic resilience.