HOW TO START UGWU FARMING (LUCRATIVE)

Ugu/Ugwu vegetable, also known as fluted pumpkin, a vine plant popular in Nigeria. It can be used to cook diverse delicacies. In fact, I can’t eat my rice without a vegetable sauce because of how delicious and nutritious it is.

HOW TO START A LUCRATIVE UGU FARMING BUSINESS

1. GET A LAND

This is definitely the first step and it’s advisable you have the land very close to your resident for easy monitoring. If you don’t have a land, you can easily get one for a few token. The size of the land is determined by how large or small you want to start first. Please make sure the land is very fertile before you settle. The best soil type for ugu farming is loamy soil. The softer the land, the better.

2. BEST PUMPKIN SEED

To plant your ugu (pumpkin), you need to first acquire the seed. You can buy from the market or buy directly from another farm. If you’re to seek my advice, I will recommend buying from another farm. Reason has been that you’ll judge the seed based on its products. By observing the farm of the seller, you can then know if to actually go for it or look somewhere else. It’s paramount you get a seed that has high yield, resistant to diseases and fast to mature.

3. PREPARE YOUR LAND

Land preparation is very important in ugu farming business. You’ll need to till the soil to ease up the soil and also, to help in the erosion of the soil. Also, add organic manure 2 weeks before planting.

Also, you’ll need to construct some structure in the form of planting a nearly dead wood. This helps the ugu vegetable to grow and coil around for sunlight. Not only that, it facilitates the production of pumpkin fruits too.

You can do the land preparation yourself or hire someone who can.

4. PLANTING OF YOUR UGU

The ideal time to plant is between April and May when the rain is minimal. Dig a small hole, about 15cm – 25cm deep. Then plant the pumpkin seed and close it up with soil. The spacing Should be between 5cm. You can do this yourself or employ someone to help if the land is very huge.

5. HARVESTING

You can harvest ugu 30 days after planting. The ugu can start producing seeds 6 months after planting. If you’re going to harvest in large quantity, you’ll have to allow it stay longer than that.

SUCCESS TIPS IN UGU FARMING BUSINESS

1. Make sure to weed the farm every 2 weeks
2. Applying a 15:15:15 fertilizer will help a lot in the yields
3. Know your target market before harvest
4. You’ll need to water the seed for at least, 2 weeks
5. The pH of the soil should be neutral. That is 5.6-7

CONCLUSION

Ugu farming business is one of the lucrative business in Nigeria that will transform your farm to an ATM machine. I’m wishing you the best of luck. Share this post using the share buttons, ask your question using the comment box. See you next time!

WORKPLACE SKILLS

Useful workplace skills.

For all looking for employment and for those already gainfully employed, here are some useful workplace skills that are not taught in school. These skills are meant to help us improve our interpersonal management skills. First, lets us take a look at what workplace skills are.

What are workplace skills?

workplace skills also known as employability skills are the basic or necessary skills a person must have to succeed or excel in any workplace (i.e. all things being equal). They are the core knowledge, skills, and attitudes that allow employers or employees to understand instructions, solve problems and get along with colleagues and customers (clients). These skills are necessary for success at all levels of an organization and are transferable from one organization to another.  Workplace skills are not to be confused to mean the same as job skills, as the latter is the knowledge and experience required to perform a specific job. Job skills differ from job to job. e.g. an HSE manager or personnel must know all the safety rules of his/her organization and must be able to identify potential hazards. He/she must also be a certified and licensed HSE officer whose authorization is needed before the commencement of any operation. 

Workplace Skills.

According to a study conducted by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), employee skills businesses need in the 21st century are grouped into 5 categories or competences with a total of 36 skills identified which include but not limited to the following:

1. basic skills: reading, writing, and arithmetic.
2. communication skills: listening and speaking.
3. adaptability skills: problem solving and creative thinking.
4. developmental skills: self-esteem, motivation, and goal setting.
5. group effectiveness skills: teamwork
6. interpersonal or influence skills: leadership and understanding group dynamics.

However, all the aforementioned skills have been consolidated into 3 broad categories which are the Fundamental, Personal Management, and Teamwork skills.

Fundamental skills are the basic academic skills; reading, writing, mathematics, sciences (yes), speaking, listening, understanding, inquiry, statistics (such as graphs, charts, and diagrams). A little knowledge about everything is important. 

Personal management skills are attitudes, behaviours, and skills that drive personal development. They help a person learn and advance in their organization. These skills also assist workers in setting goals and balancing work with personal life demands. They help in accepting responsibility by learning from mistakes, accepting feedbacks as well as being open to and respond constructively to change and critics. Good social skills and employee productivity are also in this category.

Teamwork skills: someone with strong teamwork skills is able to work effectively as part of a team or on an individual basis. Effective team members understand the dynamics of a team, they respect diversity and value different points of view and they contribute to the team in a positive manner and share information with their teammates. They are partners in projects and tasks, understanding the scope of the project, the nature of the work and the project goals. They can select and use the appropriate tools, monitor project progress and report both problems and successes and adapt to changing project requirements.

In summary, workplace skills are:

•  Analytical 
• Communication
• Creativity
• Leadership/Mentoring
• Sales drive/Negotiation
• Public speaking/Influencing
• Problem Solving/ Project Management
• Adaptability
• Teamwork.

So, brethren, before you apply for that job or take up that position, identify your workplace skills and weakness, improve on them to have a fulfilled time during the job period. 

E seun, Phatemata Cares.

Reference:

Chinn, Diane: The definition of workplace skills, Bizfluent.