Agronomist Calls for Govt. Intervention to Promote Cultivation of Ugu

Dr Joel Akinfasoye, an Agronomist at the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan, has described Telfairia Ocidentalis, better known as ‘Ugu’, as a highly profitable crop which Nigerians, especially youths, could engage in to better their lot.

Akinfasoye, the head of NIHORT Horticultural Consultancy and Venture Unit, stated this in an interview on Monday, in Ibadan.

“The benefits from Ugu is enormous, it is used for vegetable soup, especially for swallow foods.

“The seeds can be extracted for egusi melon, the seeds can be boiled and eaten as nuts and the extract from the leaves has been recommended for pregnant women as a supplement to blood tonic.

“Over the years, some individuals, companies and organisations had been exporting fresh Ugu leaves to Europe, thereby contributing to foreign earnings,” he said.

He advised the Federal Government to create farm settlements for youths and give them working tools and planting materials for the cultivation of Ugu as a business.

Akinfasoye said Ugu can be cultivated at any time in the year, even though its dry season production commanded a higher price than during the raining season.

He says non-availability of regular water in the dry season prevents people from its production, but production was less laborious during the raining season even though some management skills were highly required.

“The most important ingredients in Ugu cultivation, especially in the raining season, is the planting materials called Ugu seeds, at this time, the pod, seed or seedlings are very expensive, the reason being the storage challenges of the planting materials.

”After obtaining the planting materials, the next step is to decide whether to go through a nursery or direct planting on the field, however, where the land is not ready, going through a nursery is more advisable.

“The crop requires 2-3 weeks in the nursery before transplanting, while direct planting can be used in establishing an Ugu farm, which requires a thorough land preparation before planting.

“Plant population per hectare depends on some factors; the purpose of production, is it for fresh leave? Or is it for pod production? Or both?.

“For leaf production, close spacing is required, 50cm x 50cm or 50cm x 1m, for pod production, it is better to plant at 1m x 1m, if it is for herbage and pod, the frequency of harvest will determine the quantity of pod production,” he said.

The Agronomist explained that another major factor to be considered by the the farmers was whether to stake or not, adding that for herbage production, staking may not be compulsory, but for the standard market, staking was a must.

“For pod production, staking is desirable, after planting, there is also the need for regular field maintenance, weeding as at when due, staking and prevention of disease and pests.

“At 4 weeks, after planting or transplanting, the first herbage harvest should commence, the harvest continues at 2-3 weeks intervals for herbage yield.

“For pod production, herbage harvest should be done every 3-4 weeks, after about 3-4 harvests and when female flower emerges herbage harvest should stop to allow for pod formation.

“Because the male plant is different from the female in the Ugu, harvesting should be done by use of a sharp knife to cut the lateral branches that are of desirable length.

“It desired that harvesting is carried out in the evening or early in the morning, and harvested materials should be wrapped up to prevent excessive water loss,” he said.